Teammates and the NHL

[PJ]

I know I planned to bid on at least one! ;-)

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/051116/law027.html?.v=34

The NHLPA & NHL Become Teammates With Garth Brooks to Help Children in Need

Wednesday November 16, 11:00 am ET
Brooks Will Match Dollars Raised From NHL / NHLPA Katrina Relief Game-Worn Jersey Auction

NEW YORK, Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players' Association have jointly selected Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation as the official children's charity of the NHL and NHLPA. The league-wide alliance will include players from all 30 NHL Member Clubs and utilize the League and Players' Association's full platform of marketing resources.

The partnership focuses on the Top Shelf Teammates program, a division of the Garth Brooks Teammates For Kids Foundation, which contributes financial resources to non-profit organizations that benefit children's health, education and inner-city services. Since its inception in 2001, over 160 NHL players have participated in the program by donating more than $1 million to the Foundation. Players contribute a pre-determined sum based on selected on-ice performance categories.

"It's great that we can join together and become teammates to help children around the world," Brooks said. "I would like to thank the NHL, the NHL players and the NHLPA for supporting this program as well as other deserving charities."

Building on the relationship, Brooks also announced that the Teammates for Kids Foundation will match up to $1 million of all monies raised in the NHL / NHLPA online auction to benefit Katrina Relief efforts. All proceeds of the Katrina Auction will be donated to "World Vision" to support those affected by Hurricane Katrina; the auction complements the NHLPA and NHL's $1 million donation to the American Red Cross for Katrina assistance.

One of the most unique aspects of Teammates for Kids is that every dollar contributed is tripled through an affiliation with Teammates for Kids donors and that 100% of the money benefits children. The NHL and NHLPA look to add to the nearly $50 million that the foundation has generated for children's charities.

To spread the word, the NHL will use everything from scoreboards and in-arena messaging to NHL.com. All 30 Member Clubs have a player committed to help Teammates for Kids and in the near future, foundation representatives will conduct meetings with each club to inform players, managers and team representatives with the goal to further increase NHL player participation.

The online auction, which is being conducted by the NHL and NHLPA, features game-worn jerseys from the opening home games of all 30 NHL Member Clubs and is the largest auction ever conducted by the NHLPA and NHL. The auction, which began Nov. 14 and runs through Nov. 29, is available on NHL.com, NHL club websites and NHLPA.com.

"The NHL is thrilled that our players and all 30 member clubs are able to formalize our on-going relationship with Garth Brooks," said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. "The whole world is familiar with Garth and his amazing music, but they may not be aware of how hard he and his foundation work to support children in need. We hope that the NHL can not only help raise money, but also help spread the word about Teammates for Kids."

"The NHLPA's Goals & Dreams fund has supported Garth Brooks' charity program since 2001-02, and the players are proud to enhance our partnership today," said Ted Saskin, Executive Director of the NHLPA. "Garth Brooks has enjoyed amazing success as a performer, but his off-stage work helping children in need has been equally impressive. It gives the players great pleasure to be working even closer with Garth to help children around the world."

About the National Hockey League Players' Association

The NHLPA launched the Goals & Dreams fund in 1999 as a way for the players to give something back to the game they love. Since inception, the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund has donated full sets of equipment to more than 8,000 economically challenged children in 17 countries. To date, the players' program has donated more than $15-million to grassroots hockey programs around the world making it the largest program of its kind! Since 2001, the members of the NHLPA have donated more than $1 million to the Teammates for Kids Foundation. NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund has contributed more than $100,000 to help children in need.

About the National Hockey League

The National Hockey League (www.nhl.com), founded November 22, 1917, is the second-oldest of the four major team sports leagues in North America. Today, the NHL consists of 30 Member Clubs based in the United States and Canada. More than 31 percent of NHL players hail from outside North America from 19 different countries. Through the NHL Foundation, the League's charitable arm, the NHL raises money and awareness for Hockey Fights Cancer, Hockey's All-Star Kids and NHL Diversity, as well as supports the charitable efforts of all NHL players.

About Garth Brooks Teammates For Kids Foundation

The Top Shelf Teammates program, a division of the Garth Brooks Teammates For Kids Foundation, contributes financial resources to non-profit organizations that benefit children's health, education and inner-city services. Over 160 professional hockey players have participated in the program since its inception in 2001. Players contribute a predetermined sum based on selected on-ice performance categories such as goals scored or team wins. Every dollar contributed by players is tripled through an affiliation with other donors. Because outside sources secured by the Foundation cover all operating expenses, 100% of donated money is distributed to children's charities.

[KUGuitarMonkey]

Thank you for posting this! As a HUGE hockey fan, I have to say that this is an awesome decision on both sides. A lot of kids will benefit from it!

[PJ]

As a HUGE hockey fan
Here too! Who's your favorite team(s)?

[KUGuitarMonkey]

Definitely the Flyers! I'm a born and raised Philly girl. However, I admit that I'm a hockey junkie and will watch just about any hockey that I can. My favorite players mostly aren't even Flyers. Patrick Roy was my favorite of all time. Jeremy Roenick ranks right up there. I LOVE Saku Koivu...he's amazing to watch. Same for Joe Sakic. On the Flyers, Simon Gagne is the most impressive for his speed and puck handling. But yep, I love it all! Hockey is the one thing that I love most besides my Garth and Keith music! ;) So to see Garth and the NHL coming together...just rocks! :)

[PJ]

Well, I'm an Avs and Preds fan so glad to see you like my boy Joe! I have been watching the Flyers more this season since they got Forsberg - going to see them play in Nashville on Dec 3.

[sandis]

A few photos from the press conference here:

http://editorial.gettyimages.com/source/search/FrameSet.aspx?s=EventImagesSearchState%7c1%7c0%7c2 8%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c1%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c56137470%7c0%7c0%7 c0%7c0%7c0%7c%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c0&p=7&tag=1

Garth looks very good. :D

[wmcinnis]

Thanks for the article PJ....I agree this is very cool!

Yes Sandi, he's looking very very good! Thanks for the pics.:D
-Susan-

[sandis]

NHL goin' country

League and its players' association announces a formal partnership with country star Garth Brooks to fund children's charities

By SHAWN MCCARTHY
Wednesday, November 16, 2005 Posted at 11:16 PM EST
Globe and Mail Update

New York — The National Hockey League is goin' country, as the league and its players' association yesterday announced a formal partnership with megastar Garth Brooks to fund children's charities.

After coming out of retirement to perform at the Country Music Awards in Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night, Brooks appeared yesterday at a press conference in the same building to promote his philanthropic work.

He said he was excited to have the National Hockey League as the first professional sports league to partner with his Teammates for Kids Foundation.

Brooks, who joked yesterday that he "didn't know which hand the skate went on" when he first started working with NHL players four years ago, said he has become a huge fan of the game and its players.

"I became a hockey fan through its players," the Oklahoma-based country star said during a news conference attended by league commissioner Gary Bettman; players' association executive director Ted Saskin and Nashville Predators forward Scott Walker.

He said NHL players are among the most generous givers to charity among professional athletes in North America, even though they are among the lowest paid.

"The thing I love about them is that all they care about, truthfully, is skating and helping kids. ..... They're just sweet kids — cause that's what they are, kids — that really want to help kids and that's what makes me a fan of the game."

Bettman said the partnership between the league and the players' association would help heal divisions caused by the 14-month lockout, and help promote hockey in the U.S. heartland, where Brooks remains a towering presence.

He said Brooks's approach is particularly appealing because he covers all the administrative costs personally, so all the donations go to the designated local charities.

"We like Garth, we like what he stands for, and we felt that this was a terrific opportunity for the three of us organizationally and individually to do something that would be really significant," Bettman said.

"I think it is incumbent on all sports — from the league level to club level and player level — to do good works, to be role models, to be involved in your community. If that long term translates into something that is good for business, great, but the goal is to be good citizens."

Brooks launched his Teammates for Kids foundation in 1999 with major-league baseball players who agreed to contribute a predetermined sum based on their on-field performances.

Individual NHL players have participated since 2001, and there are 160 players involved representing all 30 teams. The players contribute to the charity based on goals and assists, triggering matching funds from the foundation to be directed to the children's charity of the player's choice.

Now, the NHL is stepping up its involvement, promising to promote the foundation's work through all 30 teams, including digital and billboard messages in arenas.

As part of the launch, Brooks has agreed to match NHL donations up to $1-million from an on-line auction of opening-night game jerseys now under way. The proceeds of that auction, which will include such highly prized jerseys as those worn on opening night by rookie sensations Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin, will go to victims of hurricane Katrina.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20051116.wbrooks1117/BNStory/Sports/

[PJ]

Thanks for the link Sandi, but I can't understand why Predator Scott Walker is holding my boy Joe Sakic's Avs jersey instead of his own. ;)

[sandis]

Maybe that's who he wants to be when he grows up? :p

[PJ]

Not a bad goal in my mind, but he'll never be as cute! ;)

[Wickedgail]

As a life long New York Rangers fan I couldn't be happier with this partnership. I intend to try and put in a successful bid on one of the items up for bid. My all time favorite player is number 11 just retired Ranger, Mark Messier.......

[PJ]

http://www.nhl.com/features/brooks_qa111705.html (with pix)

Garth Brooks joins the team
By Robert Picarello | NHL.com correspondent
Nov. 17, 2005

It seems that about the only thing Garth Brooks loves more than his Teammates for Kids Foundation is hockey.

Brooks, the country-and-western singing sensation, has joined forces with the NHL and the NHL Players' Association to assist children. The charity is the official children's charity of both the NHL and the NHLPA.

The partnership focuses on the Top Shelf Teammates program, which is a division of the Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation. This charity contributes financial resources to non-profit organizations that assist children's health, education and inner-city services.

Since its inception in 2001, over 160 NHL players have participated in the program by donating more than $1 million to the Foundation. Players contribute a pre-determined sum based on selected on-ice performance categories.

Brooks was in New York City, performing in Times Square as part of the Country Music Awards and he took some time out of his busy schedule to chat with NHL.com.

What was the inspiration to form the Teammates for Kids Foundation?

Bo Mitchell was the founder of this and he had the idea of having athletes' performances representing cash, and then us as a foundation taking that cash that they pledge and tripling it for them and then sending it out to the kids where 100 percent of the money goes to the kids.

So those were the two goals that we had: we would triple any athlete's donation and then 100 percent of that money had to go to the kids. That was the promise we made to ourselves and to the athletes.

How did your love for hockey begin?

My love for the game of hockey came from the players themselves and dealing with these guys because I was never educated on the game growing up in the middle of Oklahoma.

I owe a lot to guys by the names of Barry Trotz and Paul Gardner. They found us up in Maine when we were on tour -- at that point I think they were coaching the (AHL) Portland Pirates -- and then they got the job with the (Nashville) Predators, so it's weird how circles kind of complete themselves. Those guys introduced me to hockey, but it was truly the players through this foundation that made me a fan of the game.

And getting into it, I found it to be really my kind of game. It's fast and this year it's even gotten faster, and then with team like the Predators being involved, you don't even have to know much about hockey to know that their style of real fast skating hockey is going to be the future of the game and it's exciting to watch.

Brooks gives credit to Nashville coaches Barry Trotz and Paul Gardner for getting him involved in hockey.

So, you must have been pleased by the news the NHL was coming to Nashville in the form of the Predators?

When I found out Barry Trotz and Paul Gardner were going to be involved I was excited for them. I was really excited at the time about getting a team. I didn't know how the team was gonna be, but I was excited for my buddies. Then I just fell in love with the game and the team after I was around it.

Do you remember the first time you ever put on skates?

The first time I ever put on skates was when I was out on tour in Portland and Barry Trotz was very sweet to me. He had me out there with a dang folding chair on the ice, skating around and trying to do my thing. I felt pretty good until they took the chair away and realized that I couldn't play with the chair in the actual game, which I thought the way that these guys beat in each other in the game, the chair might be a pretty good tool. But it was a learning experience.

You say that hockey players are your type of people. Why?

Hockey players are all about sincerity and they seem to be about taking care of kids and these guys are kids -- trust me on that when I say kids. They truly care about skating and helping kids and those are my kind of people.

In 1999, you went to spring training with the San Diego Padres. Can you talk a little bit about that experience and if there's any thought down the road about putting the skates on again and taking part in an NHL training camp?

Well, I have to tell you that the Padres started this whole thing back in 1999 and the spring training started Teammates for Kids, so we started in Major League Baseball. So if going to a training camp in hockey would bring attention to the kids and the charity, yeah, I would put on the skates. I'll probably kill somebody simply because they won't be able to get out of my way, but I would do it.

[Vanessa]

I saw this on gactv.com *there's even a good picture of Garth too* go here:
http://www.gactv.com/news/haislop/n-update.html

GARTH AND NHL JOIN FORCES TO HELP KIDS
After staging the big performance event of The 39th Annual CMA Awards-- taking over Times Square for his tribute to the late Chris LeDoux, “Good Ride Cowboy”--Garth Brooks was up early Wednesday to hit Good Morning America to participate in a cooking segment. He then moved across town to participate in a press conference at Madison Square Garden, announcing that Garth’s Teammates for Kids Foundation has become the official child charity effort for the National Hockey League. The NHL in turn was impressed that Garth’s foundation efforts have already raised over $48 million since the 2001 launch as the “Touch ‘Em All Foundation."
As for his association with hockey, Garth affirmed that he’s always liked hockey, but was never any good at it. Neither is his soul-mate, Trisha Yearwood. Garth says that he and Trisha both suited up in full hockey armor for a scrimmage with a hockey team and amazingly, neither one of them got hurt.

“There’s so many pads on you you don’t get hurt," he says. "Most of the damage you do is to yourself. And you play with professionals and so they just make it fun. The great thing about hockey is before you know it, three hours have passed and you’re sweatin’ your butt off and you don’t know it because you’ve been laughing the whole time.”

Garth says one of the things that drew him to the NHL is their disproportionate generosity. “These guys salary-wise don’t make nearly as much money as some professional sports, but on the whole they give a larger percentage of what they make to charity.” The National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players’ Association have jointly selected Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation as the official children’s charity of the NHL and NHLPA. The league-wide alliance will include players from all 30 NHL Member Clubs and utilize the League and Players’ Association’s full platform of marketing resources.

The partnership focuses on the Top Shelf Teammates program, a division of the Garth Brooks Teammates For Kids Foundation, which contributes financial resources to non-profit organizations that benefit children's health, education and inner-city services. Since its inception in 2001, over 160 NHL players have participated in the program by donating more than $1 million to the Foundation. Players contribute a pre-determined sum based on selected on-ice performance categories.

"It's great that we can join together and become teammates to help children around the world," Garth said. "I would like to thank the NHL, the NHL players and the NHLPA for supporting this program as well as other deserving charities."

Building on the relationship, Brooks also announced that the Teammates for Kids Foundation will match up to $1 million of all monies raised in the NHL / NHLPA online auction to benefit Katrina Relief efforts. All proceeds of the Katrina Auction will be donated to “World Vision” to support those affected by Hurricane Katrina; the auction complements the NHLPA and NHL’s $1 million donation to the American Red Cross for Katrina assistance.

One of the most unique aspects of Teammates for Kids is that every dollar contributed is tripled through an affiliation with Teammates for Kids donors and that 100% of the money benefits children. The NHL and NHLPA look to add to the nearly $50 million that the foundation has generated for children’s charities.

God and peace,
Vanessa :)

[sandis]

:eek: :eek: :eek:

HOW much did you bid, PJ? :p


$1 million raised for Hurricane Katrina relief by NHLPA & NHL Game-Worn Jersey Auction

Hockey fans bid $530,472 for game-worn jerseys, Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation matches

NEW YORK/TORONTO -- The National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) online jersey auction raised $530,472, which was matched by country music legend Garth Brooks' Teammates for Kids Foundation, for a total of $1,060,944 to be distributed through "World Vision" to those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

The jersey of Pittsburgh Penguins rookie Sidney Crosby, worn in Crosby's third NHL game, tops the bidding at $21,010. The jerseys of Washington Capitals rookie Alexander Ovechkin and Pittsburgh Penguins captain Mario Lemieux garnered bids of $7,929 and $6,710, respectively. The jersey of Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur fetched $5,110, while the jersey of Detroit Red Wings favorite Brendan Shanahan raised $4,510.

The Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation was announced as the official children's charity of the NHL and NHLPA at a press conference on Nov. 16 in New York, where Brooks pledged his foundation would match monies raised in the auction as a commitment to the new partnership.

"Other than being a father, Teammates for Kids is the most important organization I've ever been a part of. I'm so proud of their work," Brooks said.

"We thank our fans for responding in such an overwhelmingly generous way to the needs of the victims of Hurricane Katrina," said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. "Together with the players and Garth Brooks Teammates For Kids Foundation, another million-dollar contribution has been made to the relief effort for Katrina victims."

"The players are thrilled with the amount of money raised by their game-worn jerseys in the auction, and with the Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation matching the auction total it allows the people of the Gulf Coast to receive over a million dollars in assistance," said Ted Saskin, Executive Director of the NHLPA. "With their generous bids, the fans have greatly helped those affected by Hurricane Katrina."

Auction jerseys were worn during the first period of each team's home opener and were authenticated by a special one-of-a-kind patch that confirms the NHL's and players' commitment to the people and communities impacted by Hurricane Katrina. In total, 600 NHL game-worn jerseys were available for bidding, the largest game-worn jersey auction ever conducted by the NHLPA and NHL.

To date, the NHLPA's and the NHL's efforts have raised more than $2 million for hurricane relief. In September, the NHL and NHLPA jointly donated $1 million to the American Red Cross. This jersey auction was a continuation of the League and the Players' Association's efforts to assist those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

http://www.nhl.com/news/2005/11/245656.html

[ProducerJ]

Oh wow. There's some neat stuff in this thread.

Garth actually came to a Predators game once... he and Sandy and the girls were in a suite with some other folks. We played Callin' Baton Rouge and Sandy and the girls were bopping - it was really cute.

J.

[Garthfan92]

Popped onto the NHL website earlier, and was greeted by Garth's face! They had that last article up. Very cool stuff they're doing!

Lisa

[KUGuitarMonkey]

I was just coming on here to post this! I had logged onto NHL.com early this morning before I left for work, and was so happy to find Garth's foundation's excellent news right on the front page! :) This is a lot more than the NHL has been able to raise in previous auctions, and without that match from Teammates for Kids, I'm sure they wouldn't have been able to make it happen.

[PJ]

:eek: :eek: :eek:

HOW much did you bid, PJ? :p
Unfortunately, I missed the end of the auctions as I am still on vacation.

[MDerin]

GARTH HELPS RAISE $1 MILLION FOR KATRINA RELIEF
The National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) online jersey auction raised $530,472, which was matched by Garth Brooks’ Teammates for Kids Foundation, for a total of $1,060,944 to be distributed to those affected by Hurricane Katrina through “World Vision.”

The jersey of Pittsburgh Penguins rookie Sidney Crosby, worn in Crosby's third NHL game, tops the bidding at $21,010. The jerseys of Washington Capitals rookie Alexander Ovechkin and Pittsburgh Penguins captain Mario Lemieux garnered bids of $7,929 and $6,710, respectively. The jersey of Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur fetched $5,110, while the jersey of Detroit Red Wings favorite Brendan Shanahan raised $4,510.

The Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation was announced as the official children’s charity of the NHL and NHLPA at a press conference on Nov. 16 in New York, where Brooks pledged his foundation would match monies raised in the auction as a commitment to the new partnership.

"Other than being a father, Teammates for Kids is the most important organization I've ever been a part of. I'm so proud of their work,” said Garth.

“We thank our fans for responding in such an overwhelmingly generous way to the needs of the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Together with the players and Garth Brooks Teammates For Kids Foundation, another significant contribution has been made to the relief effort for Katrina victims,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.

To date, the NHLPA’s and the NHL’s efforts have raised more than $2 million for hurricane relief. In September, the NHL and NHLPA jointly donated $1 million to the American Red Cross. This jersey auction was a continuation of the League and the Players' Association's efforts to assist those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

www.gactv.com

[aschutz]

another reason why we all love him!