Hi everyone,
I thought since I was on a roll I might as well throw out a question I was
wondering.
The University of Maine holds an annual alumni game during the summer
(the first three have been the second week in July... don't know when
(if) this year's game will take place.)   (Can any UMainers find out for
me?  I'm thinking of flying home for the weekend to go to it.)
I was wondering if any other schools out there had anything similar?
 
I have been to all of Maine's.   The first one was before my senior year
so that would be summer of 1991.  The Alfond was under construction so
the game was held at a nearby rink in Old town (Sockalexis  sp?).  It
was in the 90's  that day and a great day to watch a hockey game (...isn't
everyday? ;-)  )
No matter what your opinion of Shawn Walsh is, this was definately a
great move on his part (and who ever else came up with it.)  I highly
suggest other schools think about doing this if they don't already.
 
First and second games were very light hearted.  The teams (at the start)
were based on the year the player graduated.  (ie grads of an even year
would play v. grads of an odd year).  Local news media "coached" the
teams.  Shawn Walsh played.  The refs were the Keystone Cops.
If Walsh was unhappy with the way his team was doing he "made a trade".
It was all very funny. Walsh was awarded a penalty shot and Matt
DelGuidice defended the net backwards while he was taking the shot.
Coach Walsh was called for an illegal stick and had to sit in the box.
Matt Delguidice and Scott King were taken out of net and made forwards.
(Matt scored) Great public relations.  A skate with the bears
was held before the game.  It is pretty easy to tell the players get just
as big a kick out of it as the fans do.  (of course the party at Walsh's
might have something to do with it ;-)
 
This past years game was more somber.  A former Maine player was
paralyzed in freak accident  during pick up game.  the game was a benifit
for him which raised about 27,000$ for he and his family.  (he has since
died.)  The game and the crowd was video taped and there was a very
moving tape Andre' made for those who wanted to watch.  Gary Thorne came
back and did the announcing for the game.  It did have alot of elements
of fun in it.  For example, before the game started they had a "Hobey
Shoot-out" putting Scott Pellerin and Paul Kariya against each other for
five shots.  Paul didn't play during the game.  (I believe Paul won.)
 
 
Anyway, sorry for going on.  I guess I am just a really big supporter of
this and highly recommend that you all see if you can start it at your
schools if you don't already have one.
By the turnout of the players I think they really like it too.  All you
have to do is look at Pelly and Robi skating
around the rink together and you can tell it means alot to them too.
(for those of you who don't know Scott and Martin were roommates for most of
college and line mates for a lot of it too.)
 
 
Sorry for taking up space.
 
Sarah.