Congressional Hockey Challenge returns to benefit PWHPA, youth programs

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Rep. Tom Emmer didn't know what to expect.

It had been two years since his Capitol Hill Lawmakers team faced a squad of Lobbyists in the annual Congressional Hockey Challenge due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus, and he wondered whether his legs and wind were still there.
"The pandemic was the longest time I'd been off my skates since I was 3 years old," the Republican from Minnesota said. "But hey, the heart muscle is still pumping, the blood pressure is where it needs to be and think about what this event means to the youth programs, the wounded warriors and all the groups that this benefits."

The Lawmakers defeated the Lobbyists 4-2 Thursday in a spirited fundraising game at MedStar Capital Iceplex, the practice facility of the Washington Capitals.
The event was supported by the Capitals, the NHL, the Congressional Hockey Caucus and other sponsors.
Proceeds from the game are going to the Fort Dupont Cannons, a Hockey Is For Everyone affiliate that's the oldest minority-oriented youth hockey program in North America; the Capital Beltway Warriors; the Tampa Warriors; and, for the first time, the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association.
The PWHPA's goal is to grow hockey and advance the cause for a single, viable professional women's hockey league in North America.
"One of the fastest growing segments for hockey is women and girls," said Nick Lewis, captain of the Lobbyists. "We wanted to help the PWHPA stand up for a viable league and draw more interest from women and girls in this great sport of hockey."

Two PWHPA forwards skated in the game, Sophia Shaver for the Lobbyists and Baylee Wellhausen for the Lawmakers.
"We really feel special to be a part of this," said Shaver, who played for the University of Wisconsin from 2015-18. "And we're thankful for them also to donate to us in our cause to promote the next generation of women players, and to have their support is awesome."
Thursday was the second recent visit to the MedStar Capital Iceplex for Shaver and Wellhausen; they played in the PWHPA Dream Gap Tour showcase here March 3-5.
"To be back again, it feels like our second home here right now," said Wellhausen, who played for Wisconsin from 2014-18.
The Congressional Hockey Challenge has raised more than $1 million since 2009. Neal Henderson, the 2019 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame inductee who founded the Fort Dupont Cannons in 1978, said it has been a difference-maker for his program.
"It helps us as far as travel is concerned and equipment," Henderson said. "It also helps with our ice time. We really appreciate it."