2015 Congressional Hockey Challenge

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Wednesday, March 25 at 7:00 p.m., a team of Members of Congress, Congressional staff, administration officials, USA Warriors Hockey team members and Canadian Members of Parliament will face off against lobbyists and politicos for the seventh annual Congressional Hockey Challenge. The Lawmakers will face the Lobbyists at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, the practice facility of the Washington Capitals.

The friendly but competitive hockey game will once again benefit the NHL/Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) scholarship. This academic scholarship, created in 2012, is available to at-risk youth and participants of the NHL's Hockey is for Everyone™ initiative.

The team of U.S. Members of Congress on the Lawmakers' squad includes Congressional Hockey Caucus co-chairs Reps. Pat Meehan (PA-07), Tom Emmer (MN-06), Erik Paulsen (MN-03) and John Katko (NY-24).

For the second year in a row, three groups of distinguished guests will join the game:

• Canadian Parliament: the Honorable Gord Brown and Rick Dykstra, both Members of the Canadian Parliament, will travel south from Ottawa to join the Lawmakers side.

• USA Warriors: one of our featured charities, USA Warriors Ice Hockey, is a program which uses ice hockey as rehabilitation for our nation's injured veterans.

• Washington Capitals Alumni: returning for the Lobbyists is Comcast SportsNet commentator and Washington Capitals Alumnus Alan May; and 1,000 game veteran and fellow Capitals Alumnus Peter Bondra. Both will be donning the home colors for the Lawmakers.

Last year's tilt saw the Lawmakers even the series at 3-3, making this year's game a momentous rubber match between the two squads.

Congressman Pat Meehan: "This game helps bring the greatest sport to many who would not otherwise have the chance to play. Many great players will someday come from programs like this one, but all players will benefit from the opportunity to learn teamwork, concentration and dedication. I'm proud to be part of a hockey game that supports such a fine cause."

Congressman Tom Emmer: "Being from the self-proclaimed 'Hockey State', I am always looking for an excuse to lace up and get back to my roots, especially when it is for a good cause. I am excited to put politics aside, get back on the ice, and show the younger guys a thing or two."

Congressman John Katko: "The Congressional Hockey Challenge is a fun, nonpartisan event to support our nation's wounded veterans and to benefit youth development and educational programs. I am excited to lace up my skates and join my colleagues in support of this great cause."

There is a suggested donation at the door of $10 on the day of the event. All proceeds from the online auction and door donations will benefit the Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club, the oldest NHL®-recognized inner city youth development ice hockey program in North America. Online donations to CongressionalHockeyChallenge.com will directly benefit the Fort Dupont Ice Arena, home ice of the Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club and the only indoor ice rink in Washington, DC.

Federal lobbyists representing a diverse group of industries and interests are proud supporters of the event, and are eager to re-claim the CHC Cup. "The real winners are the young hockey players and our nation's veterans who have improved their lives through the discipline and dedication needed to play the great sport of ice hockey," said Nick Lewis, the Lobbyist team captain and UPS Senior Vice President for Federal Legislative Affairs. "But Team Lobbyist is in it to win it and, if we need to, we're generally not shy about giving checks to Lawmakers."

The Congressional Hockey Challenge is aligned closely with the NHL's Hockey is for Everyone™ initiative – a unique program providing support to nonprofit youth hockey organizations across North America that are committed to offering children of all backgrounds and abilities the opportunity to play hockey. Through this collaboration, participating lawmakers and lobbyists will have the opportunity to raise funds for their individual state's hockey programs.

With each passing year, the Congressional Hockey Challenge has grown in scope and size, drawing increasingly large crowds and increasingly notable guests, including former Lawmaker player Secretary John Kerry. Thanks to the generosity of many organizations and individuals, the Congressional Hockey Challenge has had tremendous success in raising nearly $600,000 to benefit important youth development and education programs like Washington, D.C.'s, Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club and the NHL/Thurgood Marshall College Fund scholarship.