The first annual HOCKEYTHON was a HUGE SUCCESS!

We far exceeded our wildest expectations and passed our original financial goals!!

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On Friday evening, April 27, 2007, six teams from the Westchester, Rockland and northern New Jersey area gathered at the Palisades Center Ice Rink to play in our first ever benefit tournament for Hope&Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund. Teams participating, with players ranging in age from 18 to nearly 60, were: the NY Lancers, NY Badgers, NJ Landsharks, NY Chiefs, and two all-star teams from the Palisades Sportsmen Hockey Club.

Volunteers and staff, players, referees, eager fans, representatives from Hope&Heroes and participants were on hand as Master of Ceremonies Joe Scarmato announced the start of the first game at 10:15pm between the Sportsmen and the Chiefs.

Food Items and sports drinks donated by local families and businesses , including energy bars donated by CliffBar were available in an enormous spread prepared by the staff.

Thanks to team fees, player sponsorships, public donations and a corporate sponsorship campaign spearheaded by Ed Connors, funds in excess of $20,000. were collected.

A successful silent auction, coordinated by Pete O'Shea, included special items donated by the New York Rangers, NHL Players Alumni Association, New York Jets, New York Giants, New Jersey Devils, superstar Alex Kovalev, and Hockey.com, as well as Items donated by local businesses and families.

An amazing group of trainers and medical pros from Performance Physical Therapy and Sports Conditioning were on the scene all night long.

Chief's player Peter Carr traded his skates for a mandolin, as his band, John Henry's Hammer entertained the crowd for hours.

The night's festivities were covered by several local media outlets, including RNN and the Journal News. Read the Article

The Hockey portion of Hockeython was equally as successful. Competition was friendly but intense! Games were close and the action was riveting. As the night progressed, the Lancers and Sportsmen Gray team emerged as favorites to claim the trophy. But all teams pressed on into the early morning hours. Estimates are that about 95% of the players finished all of their games...remarkable! Somewhere around 430am, with most of the crowd still in attendance, the long awaited final began between the Lancers and the Sportsmen allstars. The Lancers, using their quickness, laser passing skills, and great goaltending, skated off as the first ever Hockeython Champs.

The event lasted through the night as the bleary-eyed cleanup crew left the building somewhere around 7AM, Saturday morning. Amazing.

The Hockeython Staff thanks the HUNDREDS of people who gave of themselves in any way to make this event possible. We hope you had a great time and are aware of the positive impact you've had. Planning is already well underway for Hockeython 09. Please check back regularly for updates.

See more photos of the 2007 event