Thanks to The North 40 Tavern for their support. A north woods tavern somewhere in the middle of a big city. They regularly rotate tap beers, so stop in to see what’s currently flowing.
The West St. Paul Police Department is hosting their sixth annual charity hockey game, teaming up with South Metro Fire to take on the St. Paul Police. The proceeds will benefit the families of two St. Paul police officers.
- When: Saturday, April 19, puck drop at 3 p.m.
- Where: West St. Paul ice arena at 60 Emerson Avenue West.
- Cost: Adults are $10, kids $5, and 10 & under are free. You can also make an additional donation online.
- More: After party in the parking lot with food and beer by the West St. Paul Hockey Association and Tappers (concession proceeds also going to the cause) with music by Tim Sigler from 5 to 7 p.m.
Why Charity Hockey?
“This event has always been a great opportunity for our first responders to come together off the clock and have some fun,” said event organizer and West St. Paul Police Sergeant Elyse Wood. “Over the years, we’ve raised significant funds for important causes, and in the last two years, we’ve shifted our focus to supporting local first responders in need.”
This year 100% of the proceeds will go to help two St. Paul police families struggling with cancer:
- The family of St. Paul Police Officer Shawn Filiowich, who passed away in early January shortly after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Filiowich had 28 years of service.
- Retired St. Paul Police Sergeant Donny Grundhauser who is battling colorectal cancer. Grundhauser had 30 years of service.
“These games have become deeply personal for us,” said Wood. “As first responders, we dedicate our days to answering calls for help, but when tragedy impacts those we serve alongside—like what the St. Paul Police Department is experiencing now—we often struggle with how to respond and help. This event gives us a sense of purpose, allowing us to show up to support these families and find healing through community—all while doing something we love and having a lot of fun.”
The Teams
Past charity hockey games have pitted the police against the fire department, but this year West St. Paul’s first responders are teaming up to take on the St. Paul Police Department.
“I am actually pretty excited to have us skate together on a team,” said Wood. “We have had a good rivalry with them, but we do have a core group of us (police and fire throughout northern Dakota County) who have been skating together for years. We have a pick up game we play once a week so most of our roster is from that group.”
Taking on St. Paul offers a unique bonus: “We work with St. Paul PD quite a bit so being able to brag a little would be great!” Wood said.
The Players: Inspiring Women
While the lineups are mostly men, the are a few women holding their own on the ice. Each team has at least two women playing. In addition to planning the event, Wood will lace up her skates and play.
“I think watching the popularity of the Frost the last few seasons has been inspiring,” Wood said, referring to the professional women’s team that won the championship last year in their inaugural season. “I remember when I first started skating and had to play with the boys because youth girls hockey was just not big enough. Very quickly that changed and watching the success of the Frost and watching them being able to fill up the Xcel Energy Center on game days is awesome!”
More pro power: Wood said one of the women playing for St. Paul is a retired Whitecaps player, the professional women’s team that preceded the Minnesota Frost.
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(Photo by Sam Amundson)
