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"Day of Hockey" Raises $25,000 for The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital

March 30, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


PORTLAND, ME- Today members of the Portland Pirates team and staff along with players and coaches from Cape Elizabeth and Cheverus High School hockey teams visited The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center in Portland to present a check for $25,000 on behalf of the "Day of Hockey." The check reflects the funds raised through the Pirates "Day of Hockey" that was held back on February 19th to benefit The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center. The $25,000 matches the goal that was set for the event during a press conference in January.

The check was presented to the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital In-Patient Director, Dr. Lorraine McElwain by the Pirates Managing Owner/CEO Brian Petrovek on behalf of the Pirates players, staff, Cape Elizabeth and Cheverus High Schools and Huskies Youth Hockey. Along with the check, the Pirates also presented a "Get Well" card that was signed by the participants in the "Day of Hockey" along with the toys that were donated to the kids at the hospital on the day of the event. While at the hospital, the Pirates players also visited the kids on the impatient unit to hand out "Day of Hockey" t-shirts, Pirates player cards and sign autographs.

"We are pleased to announce that we reached our goal of $25,000. We are very grateful to all those who volunteered their time and money to help the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital. We especially want to thank GetEtched.com, the Jeff Gordon Foundation and John Bickford for their generous contribution of $16,000 from this year's Motorsports weekend. This is a world class children's medical facility and we are proud to be able to support such a great cause," said Pirates Managing Owner/CEO Brian Petrovek.

This was the second year in a row the Pirates have held an event to benefit The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center. Last year the Pirates held a day-long event called "Salty Pete's Skate for the Kids" that raised $3,360 for the hospital, in addition to the $6,640 that was raised through the Cape Elizabeth and Cheverus "Clash of the Classes" hockey game. Over the past two seasons, the Pirates and the two high schools have raised $35,000 for The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center.

"I was very impressed with the event and the overall support from the Pirates and the high school teams. I am very excited to accept this check from this year's event and I look forward to the future growth of the event. I also want to thank the Pirates for their overwhelming support and wish them the best in the postseason," said Barbara Bush Children's Hospital In-Patient Director, Dr. Lorraine McElwain.

The "Day of Hockey" was made possible by the efforts of the Portland Pirates players and staff, Cape Elizabeth and Cheverus High Schools and the Portland Professional Hockey Boosters. Funds were raised by the Cape Elizabeth and Cheverus High Schools by selling tickets for their game before the Pirates game on the day of the event.

The event benefited from the support of GetEtched.com and the Jeff Gordon Foundation that raised $16,000 through Motorsports Weekend, The Cumberland County Civic Center that donated $1,500 as well as food and the ice time for the event and Cold Stone Creamery who donated $.50 per cone and $3.00 per cake during the week leading up to the event. Huskies Youth Hockey also played a big part in the fundraising efforts by in selling tickets to event. The Portland Pirates players participated in the "Salty Pete's Skate for the Kids" post-game skate as part of the event and also donated $1,500 to the hospital. The Portland Pirates Foundation contributed the final $1,625 to reach the original goal set back in January.

"We are happy to be a part of this great event and to be involved with The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center. We feel privileged to make numerous visits to the hospital throughout the course of the season and our donation to the hospital to help these kids get better is the least we can do," said Pirates captain Aaron Gavey.

The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center, one of the country's leading children's hospitals, is committed to enhancing the lives of children through excellence in patient care, research and education. With 93 licensed beds and more than 46,000 annual patient visits, The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital is recognized for excellence in cancer treatment, cardiology, neonatal care and numerous other pediatric specialties. As a non-profit organization, The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital benefits from generous philanthropic and volunteer support from our community and state, enabling us to enhance services and programs for children and their families.

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