Great event. Great cause.
And it’s coming back to Brevard County.
Hockey Heroes for the Homeless, a two-day event sponsored by Health First, at the Space Coast Iceplex in Rockledge is scheduled for Feb. 20 and 21 with proceeds going to the Genesis House of Melbourne.
“Come out and watch some fun hockey games right here in our backyard with NHL Celebrity Alumni (some of who are Stanley Cup champions), local personalities and out-of-town visitors all in support of an organization that does so much good for those that need it most,” Viera Company President Todd Pokrywa wrote in an email.
“It is one of those rare events where it’s an opportunity to be part of something bigger than yourself and know that your involvement directly helps change lives across the Space Coast whether you are a hockey fan or not.”
This will be the second consecutive year the Space Coast Iceplex will host a charity NHL Celebrity Alumni Pro/Am. Last year’s event was called Pucks with Pros, but has since been rebranded.
Admission is free with fans having the opportunity to voluntarily donate through a QR code, or participate in a silent auction that will run both days of the event.
Friday night’s action is scheduled from 5:45 to 8:45 p.m. and will feature four teams with 16 NHL Celebrity Alumni spread out across four teams — the Viera Company, W+J Construction, Stantec and Capital Trusses.
Pokrywa and Jeff Albee from Stantec will play for their respective teams.
There are three games scheduled for Friday night, including the FP&L All-Star Game which features the NHL Celebrity Alumni vs. the Sponsors.
Saturday’s action, which is set to run from 2:15 to 6:15 p.m., will have four games.
Among the NHL Celebrity Alumni scheduled to appear are Michael Krushelnyski, who won three Stanley Cups as a player with the Edmonton Oilers and one as an assistant coach with the Detroit Red Wings. Another member of that Oilers’ three-title dynasty, Craig Muni, is also expected to be on hand.
Mike Hartman was on the 1994 New York Rangers championship team. Brian Propp and Peter Bondra were both five-time NHL All-Stars.
Pokrywa said last year’s event drew fans from in and outside of Brevard County, including some from his native Canada to watch the NHL stars play. The fact that the players are willing to devote their time and energy “speaks volumes about the character and culture of the NHL Celebrity Alumni participating and the hockey community as a whole.”
It’s also an event that means a lot to Pokrywa personally.
“This is an incredible opportunity to bring NHL Celebrity Alumni to Florida’s Space Coast for a unique fundraising event in support of important services and transitional housing for homeless women and children in our community,” he wrote. “This cause is deeply personal to me, having had relatives experience homelessness.
“It means shining a light on an issue that affects real people and families in our own community and pairing that awareness with action. Events like Hockey Heroes for the Homeless demonstrate what is possible when people come together with purpose — using the game of hockey I grew up with in Canada to open hearts, start conversations and generate genuine support for organizations like Genesis House that are doing critical work every day.
“For me, it’s about giving back, strengthening our community and helping ensure that everyone has the chance for stability, dignity and hope, all while skating alongside NHL Celebrity Alumni. I am incredibly grateful to all of the players and event sponsors that make this benefit for Genesis House possible.”
The Space Coast Iceplex is located at 720 Roy Wall Blvd. in Rockledge.
