SHREWSBURY – Hat Trick for MHA, now in its second year, will take place during the weekend of Feb. 28.
The Mental Health Association of Monmouth County (MHA) is partnering with local hockey enthusiasts to organize an adult hockey tournament that will culminate with the championship game on Sunday, March 2, at the Prudential Center on the New Jersey Devils home ice rink.
The purpose of the tournament is to raise funds for MHA’s many vital programs including those that help returning service members, veterans and their families. MHA has two free monthly support programs in place: Sanctuary and Safe Place. The Sanctuary program offers support for family and friends of active duty service members or veterans experiencing emotional difficulties. The Safe Place program offers bereavement therapy to family and friends who have lost an active duty member or veteran to casualties of war or suicide.
Serving on the committee are: Chris Bernard, chairperson; George Whitelaw, MHA Foundation president; James Fagen and Marybeth Kopec, members of the MHA Board of Directors; and John Caroli, Brian Benjamin, and Jay Cosgrove.
The preliminary round of the tournament will take place on Feb. 28 and March 1 at the Jersey Shore Arena in Wall. The Hat Trick for MHA championship game will take place at the Prudential Center in Newark immediately following the 3 p.m. March 2 Devils home game. Special NJ Devils alumni guests will be in attendance and will coach the teams in the finals.
Adult hockey players, age 21 and older, are eligible and teams may sign up as a 13-player roster, including the goalie. The tournament will provide a three-game minimum.
All of the players will receive an official tournament jersey, a 100-level ticket to the Devils game and real-time updates. The winning team will receive a catered suite at a N.J. Devils game during the 2014-2015 season. Event sponsorship opportunities are available.
Tickets for the Devils game on March 2 are on-sale to the general public through MHA’s website www.mentalhealthmonmouth.org.
Friends and family of the tournament participants and those who would like to support MHA are encouraged to purchase tickets, attend the game, and stay after to watch the Hat Trick for MHA championship game. Ticket buyers will have the opportunity to participate in the meet and greet photo opportunity with the Devils alumni.
In addition, supporters may “sponsor a patriot” by purchasing a ticket to the March 2 Devils game for an active duty service member or veteran from our local area. The opportunity to sponsor a patriot is also located on MHA’s website.
For more information on sponsorship opportunities or to reserve your team, call 732-542-6422, ext. 108, or visit MHA’s website www.mentalhealthmonmouth.org.
