Hockey for a cause
‘Champs for Charity' hockey game expected to draw nearly $20,000 for Make-A-Wish

File photo by Andrew Potter
Orchard Lake St. Mary's and Marquette High's hockey teams will square off in the season opener Nov. 26 at the ice arena on St. Mary's campus in a “Champs for Charity” game. Proceeds from the game will go the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Pictured, St. Mary's coach Brian Klanow directs his team during last year's final.

By Mike Moore
C &G Sports Writer

ORCHARD LAKE — Never before has the result of a single high school hockey game given way to so much attention, adulation and unavoidable debate.

It was March of this year when Orchard Lake St. Mary's and Marquette High squared off in the Michigan High School Athletic Association's Division 1 final. But after three regulation periods and eight overtimes would not yield a winner, the MHSAA made history by declaring the teams co-champions.

Some eight months later, the Eaglets and the Redmen will unite again with the hope of making history once more, facing off to begin the 2008-09 regular season Nov. 26 at the ice arena on St. Mary's campus in the “Champs for Charity” hockey game, with the objective of raising nearly $20,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“This was two teams that were part of something so very unique last year,” St. Mary's coach Brian Klanow said. “Coaches and administrators with both programs wanted to do something great to begin this season. Everyone knows the Make-A-Wish Foundation, so we decided to team up with them and see what we could do. The great thing about all this is the fact two very deserving families are going to get some help.”

Tickets for the game are $5, and Klanow said he expects a “packed house,” adding that anywhere from $15,000-$20,000 could be raised.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation helped administrators from both schools decide upon two individuals, one from each area, who will benefit from the game.

While the Make-A-Wish Foundation does not release last names of its recipients, money generated during the game will allow Brook, a 4-year-old girl from Escanaba who is suffering from acute lymphocytic leukemia — a cancer of the blood and bone marrow — to go to Walt Disney World with her family.

Ryan, 18, of Waterford, who is suffering from hypersensitivity pneumonitis — a disease in which the air sacs of the lungs become inflamed when certain dusts are inhaled — will head to Universal Studios to see how a motion picture is produced.

“It's such a unique situation, and we couldn't be happier to be a part of it,” said Kedrin Gall, the manager of community development for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“We have to rely on third parties to be successful, groups of people who go out of their way to make something like this happen. For these two teams to sponsor this event and
make some dreams come true, it's just incredible.”

“It's a feel-good story, no matter how you look at it,” Klanow added. “All the guys on the team are excited to be a part of something like this. At the same time, they're excited to get the season going again. We hope to pick up right where we left off.”

Well, not right where they left off.

Klanow laughed when asked if he could guarantee the game wouldn't end in a tie, saying,

“I wish I could do that, but it's a regular-season game, so if we're tied after one overtime, that's it.

“I think somebody needs to win, though. It's about time these two teams draw a line in the sand and determine a winner.”

Tickets for the “Champs for Charity” hockey game can be purchased by calling the St. Mary's Ice Arena at (248) 706-4200.

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Hockey for a cause ‘Champs for Charity' hockey game expected to draw nearly $20,000 for Make-A-Wish

Hockey for a cause
‘Champs for Charity' hockey game expected to draw nearly $20,000 for Make-A-Wish