NHL chipping in for tsunami charity game
BANGKOK, Thailand
Thailand's hockey players received a shot in the arm Tuesday after the
National Hockey League offered to support their charity drive for Thai
survivors of the Asian tsunami.
The National Hockey League has also pledged to donate money for goals
scored as well as establishing plans for a larger charity effort that
will be announced in the near future. "Our thoughts and prayers are
with you," said Bernadette Mansur, head of NHL Communications, in
an e-mail to the Bangkok Flying Farangs hockey club.
Farangs Captain Scott Murray told his players that Sunday's charity match
- billed as "The World vs. Canada" - needed to be properly rehearsed
with dignitaries and corporate leaders from around the world expected.
He also urged the team to focus on the task at hand: raising as much money
as possible for the desperate in southern Thailand.
Players from the Thai-World Hockey League and the Flying Farangs will
hit the ice Wednesday for a "dress rehearsal" practice for Sunday's
charity event. Murray - a Reg Dunlop-type motivator - will put his players
through the on-ice paces before a team meeting on the steps outside the
busy Bangkok shopping center that houses the rink.
Sunday's charity game, supported by Inetasia Solutions Limited, isn't
about ice time, goals or assists, Murray said. It's about fund-raising
for those devastated by the killer waves that killed 5,300 people and
ruined the pristine south. Players from Canada will square off against
those from the United States, Sweden, Germany, Finland, Japan and Thailand.
They will lace up the skates to help thousands of victims without homes,
schools, and parents.
More than 3,700 people remain missing from the catastrophe. A generous
response is needed for the massive reconstruction effort ahead. But Thailand's
hockey community is ready to jump the boards to help out. The Flying Farangs
- "farang" meaning foreigner in Thai - have previously raised
cash for Father Joe Maier's children's charity in Bangkok.
In 2002, the Farangs' international tournament took in a team record US$14,000
for some of the most disadvantaged children in the city. In 2004, US$10,200
was raised for impoverished kids at charity auction. The players are hoping
this time around the generosity of families, friends, and hockey fans
back in North America and Europe will shatter their previous fund-raising
record.
"Many people back home have asked us how they can help," said
Flying Farangs defenceman Rob Kennedy. "This hockey game is the ideal
way."
For more information on the Bangkok charity game and donation process,
please see the TWHL website: www.leaguelineup.com/twhl
One-hundred percent of donations will be given to those in need through
the Red Cross Thailand.
 The Kennedy family does its part for Tsunami relief |
 Scott Whitcomb (on the right in white shirt) was the driving force behind the game |
 Members of the ex-pat community joined the Thais in supporting the teams and Tsunami victims |
Below are links to the articles as they appeared in major media outlets
across North America:
http://nhl.com/onthefly/news/2005/01/224612.html
http://www.nhl.com/onthefly/news/2005/01/224544.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18968-2005Jan18.html
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/News/2005/01/15/899611-sun.html
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