Despite a season-high 14 games in March, Checkers players, staff members and mascot Chubby were active in the Charlotte community, volunteering their time with various schools and non-profit organizations. The team also raised thousands of dollars for local charities through events such as Old-Time Hockey Weekend, the Bankers vs. Bakers charity hockey game and the annual Pooch Party.
Community and School Appearances
Several of the Checkers’ educational programs wrapped up in March, including Wells Fargo Reading First, the PowerPLAY program and Piedmont Natural Gas’ Science of Hockey. Checkers staff member Elle Bunn was a fixture at each and every event and brought along players Sean Dolan, A.J. Jenks, Rob Madore, Bobby Raymond, Justin Shugg and Brody Sutter.
Also included in March’s appearances were several pep rallies and JDRF presentations by Bunn and Checkers mascot Chubby.
Old-Time Hockey Weekend
The Hanson Brothers, made famous in the classic movie “Slap Shot,” were on hand for the inaugural Old-Time Hockey Weekend. The Checkers wore specialty jerseys which were auctioned off and raised more than $18,000 for the team’s foundation, while more than $2,900 was raised at a special screening of the movie.
Scout Sleepover
More than 1,800 boy scouts and their families attended the annual Boy Scout Night, presented by Tyndall, on March 9. Scout packs from area cities packed Time Warner Cable Arena to witness a thrilling 2-1 Checkers victory over the visiting Houston Aeros. But the fun didn’t stop there as more than 300 scouts stayed at the arena for a sleepover following the game. The boys watched "D3: The Mighty Ducks" on the Time Warner Cable Arena video board before settling down in their beds and sleeping bags on boards laid on top of the ice surface.
Bankers vs. Bakers
The Wells Fargo “Bankers vs. Bakers” charity hockey game took place Saturday, March 9, prior to the Checkers game. Wells Fargo employees played against Johnson & Wales University students and faculty in a friendly game and more than $4,000 for A Child’s Place, a local non-profit organization that works to erase the impact of homelessness on children and their education.
Pooch Party
Hundreds of dog owners brought their four-legged friends to the fourth annual Pooch Party, presented by Lowe’s, on March 10. The afternoon featured dog-themed entertainment and pet-related businesses and non-profit organizations occupied the main concourse with information and pet products. A portion of ticket proceeds benefited Project HALO, a local no-kill animal shelter which focuses on rescuing and adopting stray and abandoned dogs.
Teddy Bear Delivery
On March 27, Checkers players Sean Dolan, Michal Jordan, Justin Krueger, Mike Murphy, Rasmus Rissanen, Brett Sutter and Chris Terry delivered teddy bears to the children at Presbyterian Hemby Children’s Hospital. The bears were collected during the team’s annual Teddy Bear Toss in December.
