By: Sam Zis, Howlings
NEWINGTON, CT – The CT Chiefs Eastern Hockey League Premier junior team helped raise over $8,000 (with donations still coming in) in a charity game to benefit the Connecticut Children’s Craniofacial department at Newington Arena on Sunday.
“What the Craniofacial team does is deal with kids with birth defects or diseases that affect their face. They have a lot of really high-end plastic surgeons and different teams of doctors that help,” Chiefs owner Brandon Johnson said. “We are raising money for the team because whenever a kid gets there, (Connecticut Children’s) tries to provide them with a toy and help families pay for medication.”
The Connecticut Children’s Craniofacial department is very close to the hearts of the Johnsons. Their 5-year-old son Bryce was born with a cleft lip and has undergone several surgeries. Among the event’s many highlights was Bryce Johnson dropping a ceremonial puck in a face-off between Chiefs Co-Captain, Colin Hines and Thunder Captain Tyler Gobel.
Fans’ donations to the cause came in many ways, from admission to purchasing raffle tickets to placing bids on the Chiefs’ game-worn special charity game jerseys.
Johnson’s wife, Kristin, organized the event and shared the importance of the fundraiser. “The proceeds today will go to the Craniofacial Special Purpose Fund. Those funds come strictly from fundraising. It’s super-important that we keep that fund funded because if not, there will be babies born with no feeding materials.”
The Chiefs players were more than happy to support the cause. Chiefs’ Premier Head Coach Jeremy Gerhard said, “It was a nice way to give back to the community and give back to the ownership. Obviously, this touches their family very deeply, and it was a good chance for the boys to showcase what the Chiefs are about.”
The game-worn jersey auction remains open. Bids can be placed here.
The Chiefs rolled past the Union Jr Thunder, sparked by a 5-goal second period, en route to a 6-1 win.
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