Charity PuckOff Faces Off for St. Jude Hockey Club Saturday

CRESTWOOD, IL -- It all started about nine years ago when a bunch of twenty-something rink rats rented some ice time so they could play a late-night pick-up hockey game at a local ice arena. The players came up with the idea of raising money for youth hockey players. After raising a few hundred dollars and having a great time, the rink rats decided to make it annual event, which has grown in size and donations.

Now in its fifth year, The Charity PuckOff is set to hit the ice this Saturday, April 1, at the Southwest Ice Arena, 5505 W. 127th St., Crestwood. Doors open at 4 p.m. for a rollicking three hours of hockey, raffles, a DJ, face painting, local mascots, balloon twisters and the famous Chuck-A-Puck. Admission is just $5, kids under 12 are FREE.

Every dollar raised at the Charity PuckOff will be donated to St. Jude Hockey Club’s scholarship program to help pay fees and costs of young players from families that are currently going through a financial setback, such as the loss of a parent, catastrophic illness of another family member or job loss. Southwest Ice Arena is donating its ice rink for the game.

“We have six families this year who received full or partial tuition,” said Curt Grigas, one of the founders and puck-off organizers. “I was in a similar situation growing up where we had someone help our family. Youth hockey is an expensive sport and we want to give kids a chance to play competitive hockey whose families may not otherwise be able to afford it.”

The main attraction of Saturday’s charity puck-off is an appearance by the Chicago Blackhawks famed National Anthem singer Jim Cornelison. Cornelison, courtesy of sponsor C.H. Robinson, will open the game, which begins around 5 p.m.

Two teams comprised of the original rink rats, pond hockey players and deer-in-the-headlights players who only strap on the skates once a year, will face off for three periods of play.

St. Jude’s girls hockey team will also challenge the adult players for a friendly relay race featuring an obstacle course and puck shooting.

“It’s always fun to watch a bunch of old guys get destroyed by 10-year-old girls,” Grigas said.

Marcottes Bar and Grill, which is sponsoring the event, is holding a post-puck-off party immediately following at 15501 S. Cicero Ave., Oak Forest.

St. Jude Hockey Club draws youngsters from throughout the Southland. The club teaches hard work, self-discipline, sportsmanship and team play in a family-like atmosphere. The club offers learn-to-skate programs for boys and girls in the 3-4 year age range, and competitive teams and clinics for players ages 6 to 14, including a girls hockey program.

For more information about Saturday’s game, visit The Charity PuckOff Facebook page. The Charity PuckOff is a 501(c) 3 organization.

Cover Photo: Charity PuckOff for St. Jude Hockey Club