Big Easy Leads to Big Night of Assists

The Penguins wanted to bring the "Night of Assists" gala back in a big way… and what better way than an evening in the Big Easy?
"We did everything we could to bring the streets of New Orleans to PPG Paints Arena," said Amanda Susko, senior director of the Penguins Foundation.

This was the fourth annual Night of Assists, presented by Highmark (it had previously been branded as Skates and Plates and Aces and Ice), and the first time since February 2020 that Penguins players, coaches and management were able to take part in the organization's signature charity event.
Having the chance to spend a night hanging out with their favorite players, all while supporting the mission of the Penguins Foundation, is such a truly unique opportunity that guests were thrilled about.
"Just dealing with them right now, it was awesome," said Robert Muse, attending the gala with Cheri Pegher, who'd been looking forward to this for three years now.
"I wanted to go before COVID hit, and then the year that I said, 'we're going!", COVID hit, and they had to cancel it," she said. "So whenever I found out that this was happening, I'm like, there's no question, I don't care how much it costs - we're going."
They had been at the craps table with the two players they most wanted to see that night - Bryan Rust (her favorite) and Jason Zucker (his favorite). Those two, who go back to their junior days with the USNTDP, are always playfully chirping each other in the locker room, and that carried over to their casino game.
"It's really fun to be able to see them in their normal element," Pegher said. "Honestly, not that I'm leaving, but I could because I saw my favorite player," she said before adding with a laugh, "but I'm staying for the after party!"
Players were stationed around the concourse, which is where the festivities took place so that attendees could stroll amongst iconic destinations with a Penguins flair. Many of them - including Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang - held court at blackjack tables, where fans got to experience how fired up and competitive those two get when they play cards on the team plane.
Rickard Rakell was at the Streets of Nola Photo Experience, coming up with different ways for fans to pose with the assorted props (him and I posed Charlie's Angels style with a couple of umbrellas), with a confetti cannon adding some Mardi Gras glitter to the finished photos.

After his success with Kappy Cam, Kasperi Kapanen was challenged with a new creative enterprise: drawing portraits at the Caricature Station. His first masterpiece was of Malkin, "the way I see him… he can't really grow a beard, can't really grow facial hair. He obviously thinks he's the best - which he is. The curly hair, you're losing the hairline a little bit. He knows it himself, but I had to draw it."
Kapanen valued his artwork at $1,000, saying, "I think Geno would be a little disappointed with a thousand. He'd probably want to add at least one more zero into that. But hopefully we'll get this sold today, and make some money."

The pieces were actually pretty priceless for all of the guests who stepped up and sat down with either Kapanen or P.O Joseph. At one point, the young defenseman sketched a drawing of Aaron and Emily Weiss' 2-year-old son Carson, using the photo on the background of her phone as a guide.
"He's got a babysitter for the night, and he's very sad that he can't come to the Penguins place," Aaron said. "He's already been to one game, he's a big fan. He didn't get a puck yet, but that's okay. Now he's got this."
P.O actually spent a lot of time trying to make the drawing as perfect as possible, with the Weisses praising his work. "He's very focused. I see that Kappy is cranking people out, but P.O is doing a good job of solid detail," Aaron laughed. "I try my best!" Joseph grinned.
And speaking of detail - truly, everyone involved in the planning and execution of this event did such an incredible job in that regard when it came to the theme. There was live music and entertainment direct from New Orleans courtesy of Blue Earth Artists, and authentic cuisine and signature cocktails like jambalaya, beignets, frozen hurricanes and the classic Sazerac cocktail. It felt like it took forever to do one lap around the concourse because there was so much to do and see, and the vibes were so festive.
But of course, the most coveted spot was the Money Wheel, where Sidney Crosby was stationed the whole night. The captain was solo for the first half before linemate Jake Guentzel joined him after he finished making his signature Milkshake Factory shake for fans.

The intensity level went up a few notches in that corner of the rink, both from the results of the game itself, and the fact that one of the greatest players of all-time was spinning it. Ryan Ziglersaid he was pretty much ready to pass out after his turn.
Hopefully, that won't be the case at the tattoo parlor, where Zigler is going to get Crosby's signature - procured in pen on his forearm - made permanent.
"The night before my dad told me he was taking me, I dreamt that Sid and I were going barhopping," Zigler said. "I told him, I dream about this! I love the Penguins and I'm a huge hockey fan in general. I know every player in the league. I'm just passionate."
The guys appreciate how much this event means for the people who support them on the ice, and they all have a really good time with it. It means so much to them that everyone who came is supporting the Penguins Foundation off the ice.
"It's fun, but the first thing we look at, it's why we're here. And obviously, it's a great cause and we have great people surrounding our team, whether it's sponsors or fans," Kris Letang said. "To have the chance to be in person with them and in a different setup than hockey and kind of see the personality of people, it's a fun event."