Sled Skating and Hockey Celebs

On March 3rd, Niki Cassavoy will play hockey against her son, Holden, who has Cerebral Palsy. They’ll spar on ice, both seated in sleds to even the playing field, as a team of able-bodied players goes stick to stick against incredibly talented disabled athletes…some with Cerebral Palsy, members of the nationally recognized Michigan Sled Dogs hockey team.

This event, at 4 p.m. at the Hazel Park Ice Arena, precedes a Detroit Red Wings alumni face-off against the United Cerebral Palsy Pucksters, in an effort to raise funds for the Metro Detroit chapter of United Cerebral Palsy. This is the 12th year this match will be played and the organization’s largest annual fundraiser.

UCP/Detroit assists individuals with disabilities and their families to access much-needed services and support that help build a "Life without Limits." The organization focuses on ways to advance the independence of all people with any physical, mental or emotional limitation and secure their right to inclusion.

The goal for this year’s fundraiser is a packed arena (capacity: 1,200) and $20,000 from ticket sales, chuck-a-puck, silent auction and other initiatives on-site. Every player raises money in order to play. Eighty-Five percent of every dollar raised from UCP special events is used for programs and services that benefit directly the people we serve.

The Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association, the oldest such organization in the NHL, plays 20+ games a year to benefit worthy charities. This group’s members use their status as former NHL players to bring people together to raise money for worthwhile organizations. The alumni roster includes such names as Joe Kocur, Darren McCarty, Dino Ciccarelli, Shawn Burr, John Ogrodnick, Craig Wolanin, Lee Norwood, Dennis Hextall, Pat Peake and fan favorite, Mickey Redmond.