A member of the Westfield Fire Department team controls the puck as a former Boston Bruins player moves in during last year’s fundraiser at the Amelia Park Ice Arena. (File photo by Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – Hockey in the city is at an all-time high.
The Whip City has produced proven winners from its youth hockey leagues, Westfield and St. Mary high schools, a successful college ice hockey team at Westfield State, and a local Olympian in Kacey Bellamy.
On Saturday, local fans will get to show their support when some legendary professional athletes skate into the city again.
The Westfield firefighters Local No. 1111 will renew their annual fundraising hockey game when they take on the Black and Gold Legends – former Boston Bruins players who have banded together for charity – at Amelia Park Ice Arena. The puck is scheduled to drop at 4:30 p.m.
Some recent Black and Gold Legends have included such names as Don Marcotte, Bob Beers, Dan Hodge, Quinton Brickley, Mike Boccuzzi, Tim Sweeney, Frank Simonetti, Randy Wood, Steve Rooney, Bill O’Dwyer, and Scott Young,
Admission to the game is free, although cash donations will be accepted at the door. The donations will be used by the firefighters’ union to help fund requests for assistance from community groups such as local youth sports leagues and other civic groups.
A program for the event will be available and, in addition to pictures and information about the Legends, will include pages for autographs.
Westfield Fire Department’s Chris King, left, battles Quintin Brickley during a fundraiser at the Amelia Park Ice Arena last year. (File photo by Frederick Gore)
The former Bruins players will be available to the fans to sign autographs between the two 25-minute periods of the game.
Young players attending the game will have another opportunity to get up-close and personal with the former hockey stars before the game when the Legends will offer two workshops for young hockey players.
A workshop for ‘Mites’ and ‘Squirts’ (children aged 4-10) will begin at 3 p.m. and a second workshop for older boys, ‘Peewees’ through ‘Bantams’ (aged 10-14), will begin at 3:45 p.m.
There will also be a silent auction. Refreshments will be available at the game, as will the ever-popular firehouse chili.
“It’s a great event to help the firefighters, and it’s quite an outstanding community event,” Westfield firefighter Ray Neilsen said.
Donations will also be accepted by mail at 34 Broad Street, Local 1111 Fundraiser, Westfield, Massachusetts 01085. – Carl Hartdegen contributed to this story
