The last time we saw the likes of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Andrew Ladd and Adam Burish on the same team was June 9, 2010, one of the greatest days of my life. Many members from that memorable team are getting together tonight at the Allstate Arena, in Rosemont, to help raise money for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Illinois and Northwest Indiana.
Tonight’s game will feature the Chicago team, made up of current and former Blackhawks, taking on the World team made up of stars from around the NHL. Former Playboy playmate Jenny McCarthy, former Chicago Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster and Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould will be on hand as celebrity coaches. Rumor has it that the player voted the game’s MVP gets to take McCarthy home for the night.
Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp, Patrick Kane, Adam Burish,Brian Campbell, Andrew Ladd, Troy Brouwer, Jake Dowell, Craig Adams, James Wisniewski, Joe Corvo, Jim Vandermeer,and Craig Anderson will play for the Chicago team.
The World team features Ville Leino, Jordan Staal, Mike Brown, Antti Miettinen, Jared Boll, Bobby Ryan, Jamal Mayers, Gregory Campbell, Daniel Carcillo, Shawn Thornton, David Gilbert, Alex Goligoski, Ryan Suter, Kimmo Timonen and Niklas Backstrom.
Sheldon Brookbank, who signed with the Hawks in July, has been added to tonight’s festivities but I am not sure what team he will be on. Kris Versteeg was scheduled to play for Chicago but a lingering shoulder injury will keep him on the sidelines. ESPN Chicago’s Jessie Rogers will be the evening’s emcee. Doors will open at 6:30 and the puck will drop at 7:30 PM.
I really don’t know what to expect tonight but I don’t want this to turn into a NHLPA rally. I don’t need to hear these guys tell me how much they care about us fans because that is a bunch of bullcrap. The players and owners are equally to blame for why I am going to a charity game in October instead of a Blackhawks game at the United Center. All I ask is they keep the talk to all the kids they are helping with the money being raised tonight.
If anyone else who is going is interested in doing a little SCH meetup in between periods lets get one organized in the comments section. Hope to see a lot of you guys and gals out there tonight.