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Spokane Chiefs

Auction to Benefit Education Fund and Mark Rypien Foundation Saturday

March 9, 2006 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


The Spokane Chiefs will be holding a silent auction to benefit the Mark Rypien Foundation and Chiefs Education Fund on Saturday, March 11th when the Tri-City Americans visit the Spokane Arena.

The items will include items from several former Spokane Chiefs players including the Toronto Maple Leafs Bryan McCabe and Dallas Stars Jon Klemm. Both defenseman were former captains for the Chiefs. Mike Babcock, the Detroit Red Wings head coach and former bench boss of the Chiefs, Steve Yzerman and Brendan Shanahan signed a jersey that will also be available at the auction.

Kerry Toporowski, the team leader in penalty minutes in 1989-90 and 1990-91, will also have a signed, game worn Chiefs jersey up for auction. In two seasons as a Chief, Toporowski racked up 889 penalty minutes including 505 in the Memorial Cup Championship season of 1990-91.

Kurt Sauer, currently playing for the Colorado Avalanche, will have a game worn Spokane Chiefs jersey also up for auction. Sauer was the Chiefs Rookie of the Year in 1999-2000 and Defenseman of the Year in 2000-01 and 2001-02.

The auction will include the following items:

- Autographed Jon Klemm - Dallas Stars Jersey
- Autographed Bryan McCabe & Team - Toronto Maple Leafs Jersey
- Autographed Adam Deadmarsh - Avalanche Jersey
- Autographed Babcock, Yzerman, Shanahan - Wings Jersey (Home)
- Autographed Cam Severson - Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights Jersey
- Gameworn & Autographed Toporowski Chiefs Jersey
- Gameworn & Autographed Kurt Sauer Chiefs Jersey
- Autographed Rick Berry - Milwaukee Admirals Jersey
- Autographed Mario Lemieux - Penguins Jersey
- Autographed Mario Lemieux - Framed Poster
- Autographed Stan Mikita - Hockey Puck
- Autographed Grant Fuhr - Hockey Puck
- Autographed Pierre Larouche - Hockey Puck
- Autographed Stepp, Morrison, Violette & Bankhead Basketball
- Autographed Ben Rothlisberger Football
- Autographed Olaf Kolzig - Goalie Stick
- 05-'06 Team Autographed Replica Jersey
- 05-'06 Chiefs Framed Team Autographed Poster
- 05-'06 Chiefs Team Autographed Stick
- 05-'06 Gameworn & Team Autographed Gloves
- 05-'06 Gameworn & Team Autographed Helmet
- 04-'05 Chiefs Framed Autographed Poster
- Autographed George Brett Baseball

The Mark Rypien Foundation was established in April 2004 to raise funds to support local activities and research associated with children with cancer. Spokane resident and Superbowl XXVI MVP Mark Rypien lost his son, Andrew, to cancer in August 1998. The Foundation is helps increase awareness and assists others with children fighting the disease.

Through several fundraising activities, the Foundation generates monies that will be used to purchase items for local hospitals to improve the quality of stay for children with cancer and their families. The Foundation plans to sponsor local children to attend Camp Goodtimes, (an American Cancer Society program) a one-week opportunity for kids with cancer to experience summer camp without the confines of the hospital. The Foundation is also interested in funding cancer research at a local level.

The Spokane Chiefs Education Fund is used at the end of a player's junior career and guarantees one year of tuition and books to a player for each season that they compete in the Western Hockey League. In addition, all education costs for current players taking college courses are paid for through the fund.

The scholarship fund is a league wide program that is available to all players in the Western Hockey League.

Tickets for all Chiefs home games are available by calling the Chiefs office at (509) 535-PUCK or TicketsWest at (800) 325-SEAT.

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