Hockey fans get up close to NHL players in second-annual charity game

For a second-straight summer, NHL players put on a show for local hockey fans in Cottage Grove.

Hastings natives Derek Stepan, Taylor Chorney and Jeff Taffe held their second-annual charity game on Wednesday, July 11, at the Cottage Grove Ice Arena.

Fans lined up an hour and a half prior to the game for an autograph session at CGIA, where players signed sticks, jerseys and t-shirts for event goers.

Players taking part in the game included Thomas Vanek and Drew Stafford of the Buffalo Sabres, Drew Conboy of the Montreal Canadians, St. Louis Blues’ captain David Backes, Mark Parrish and Tim Conboy of the Ottawa Senators, Jake Gardiner of the Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL legend Phil Housley, Ryan McDonagh of the New York Rangers and Dan Sexton of the Anaheim Ducks.

Proceeds from the game benefit the Hastings Hockey Association.

This year’s event also included an after-party at the American Motorsports Bar in Cottage Grove, a food truck outside the arena and a very special appearance by Jack Jablonski, the Benilde-St. Margaret's student who suffered a spinal cord injury and was paralyzed in a game just over six months ago. Jablonski dropped the puck to kick-off the charity game.

See the full story and additional photos in the July 18 issue of the Bulletin

Editor's note: Proceeds from this year's game did not benefit the Cottage Grove Athletic Association or Defending the Blue Line as stated in previous posting

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