WHL Tri-City Americans

Americans to Host Police K9 Night on Saturday

April 14, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


KENNEWICK, WA - The Americans will host Police K9 Night on Saturday, April 16 to support the Kennewick Police Department K9 Unit. The team will wear special Police K9 jerseys as they take on the Everett Silvertips in the final game of the 2021-22 season.

After the game, the jerseys will be auctioned off with part of the proceeds benefiting the Kennewick Police Department K9 Unit. The auction will take place online at amshockeyauctions.com beginning at 10:00 p.m. on April 16 and ending at 8:00 p.m. on April 24.

The special design features K9 Bear and K9 Ivan from the Kennewick Police Department.

Bear, part German Shorthaired Pointer and part German Shepherd, recently retired after over seven years of service with the KPD. As part of the K9 Unit, Bear was a valuable tool used nearly 800 times to help officers and investigators locate over 189 drug paraphernalia items, 54 pounds of cocaine, 43 pounds of heroin and over 340 pounds of methamphetamine. Ten-year-old Bear continues to live with his handler, Officer Merkl, who is a billet for the Americans.

Ivan is a four-year-old German Shepard/Belgian Malinois mix and specializes in helping the KPD apprehend suspects involved in serious crimes who pose a danger to officers and the public. His primary job is to provide a safer environment for officers and to help officers hold criminals accountable. Since his start in 2019, Ivan has already supported officers, including his handler Officer Whitney, safely apprehend 75 suspects. Ivan is originally from the Czech Republic and even has his own passport.

Prior to the game there will be a ceremonial puck drop with K9 Ivan and his Officer Whitney.

The Americans are collecting toy donations for the Police K9s. You can visit our Amazon Wishlist to select the exact toy needed for the dogs. Order directly from Amazon and select shipping to the Americans Gift Registry. All donations will be given directly to the Kennewick Police Department K9 Unit.

There will be Police K9 pucks signed by Connor Bouchard, Sam Huo, and Sasha Mutala sold behind section 'D' for $10. Proceeds from the puck sales will also benefit the Kennewick Police Department K9 Unit.

Come cheer on the Americans and support the Kennewick Police Department K9 Unit this Saturday at the Toyota Center.

Single game tickets can be purchased at the Toyota Center Box Office or online from Ticketmaster.

Check out the Tri-City Americans Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from April 14, 2022


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