A total of $75,000 was raised recently by the St. Louis Bandits amateur hockey team and the St. Louis Blues Alumni for The BackStoppers, Inc. at a "Guns ‘N' Hoses" charity hockey game held at the Scottrade Center.
Several members and former players of the St. Louis Blues professional hockey team, as well as local area police officers and firefighters, participated in the January 4 event. In addition to donating funds to the BackStoppers, several other charities, including Friends of Kids with Cancer, Ranken Jordan, Children's Hospital, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, His Kids, Ronald McDonald House, Crisis Nursery, Angel's Arms, the Pujols Foundation, the Salvation Army, Joy Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation and Gateway Hockey, were given tickets to the game donated by contributors.
Started in 1959, The BackStoppers provides needed support and financial assistance to the spouses and children of all local and county police officers, firefighters, publicly-funded paramedics and EMTs and volunteer fire protection units who have lost their lives performing their duty.
Blues star Keith Tkachuk coached the firefighters while former Blues player Barret Jackman coached a team of police officers in the friendly contest, which was won by the firefighters in an overtime "shoot-out."
"We are delighted to provide these funds to a wonderful organization such as The BackStoppers," said Kelly Chase, Bandits co-owner and vice president of operations, who also is color commentator for radio broadcasts of St. Louis Blues hockey games. "All of us in our community benefit from the unflinching courage and tireless efforts of these public servants."
The Bandits are two-time defending champions of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), winning the league's Robertson Cup Championship in 2007 and again in 2008. Founded in 1975, the NAHL is the oldest Junior A hockey league in the United States as well as the largest. Presently the league has 19 teams in four divisions; the Bandits play in the South division.
Most games are scheduled on weekends to allow the student athletes to pursue their education. Current Blues stars Cam Janssen, Yan Stastny and Ben Bishop are among the many former Bandits players who have gone on to play in professional hockey, including the National Hockey League. For more information about the Bandits, please call 636-536-4882 or visit http://www.stlbandits.com/.
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