MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Yooper United took on the Red Wings Alumni at the Berry Event Center on Friday night to raise money for the United Way of Marquette County.
“Any money that we raise here stays to help our local residents with food security, housing, senior programs, youth programs,” said United Way’s executive director Andrew Rickauer. “It’s just a great way to bring the community together.”
United Way brought in a little bit of everything from raffle drawings to puck throws and even a sled hockey game before the main event.
“You have some Olympic athletes out here,” said Wolff Belanger, Yoopers United’s forward about the sled hockey players. “Simply an amazing sport and amazing athletes, it’s incredible what they do.”
The Red Wing Alumni and Yoopers United players said they were feeling the competition especially since last time the alumni came to play, two years ago, the game didn’t quite go as expected.
“It ended in a tie, and we’re hoping to move the needle a little bit more this year,” said Red Wings Alumni association vice president Danny Dekeyser.
“The game ended in a tie, so they were not happy,” said Belanger. “So they want to come back and prove their point.”
Win or lose, both teams said they were happy to get out on the ice and support a great cause like the United Way.
“Our main mission is to try to help out with as much charity work as we can,” said Dekeyser. “I know this supports the united way so we’re looking forward to helping them out.”
“It really opened my eyes to how much united way helps Marquette County,” said Belanger.
According to Rickauer, the support and funds the game provides to the United Way is truly remarkable.
“It’ll be great, I’m hoping we can raise about $50,000 tonight,” said Rickauer. “It’ll go a long ways and feed a lot of families so that would be nice.”
Plus Friday morning one of the Yoopers United players, former NHL player and star of the movie “Slapshot” Steve Carlson, made an appearance at the Third Base bar.
While he was there he shook hands with fans, took pictures, and even did some bartending.
He was also raising awareness for the game which he says he’s happy to be a part of.
“I love playing hockey, I love the game of hockey,” said Carlson. “To be on the ice with the alumni of the Detroit Red Wings to help raise money for the united way, it’s a win-win situation for everyone.”
Though Yoopers United took an early lead, the final score was nine to six Red Wings Alumni taking the victory.
