If you like hockey and school choice, there’s a charity event this Saturday, March 9th, to support the Children’s Scholarship Fund of New Hampshire. It is the third annual Libertarians vs. Republicans hockey game.
Here’s the press release – press contact info has been moved to the end. You can also scroll down for the promo video!
THIRD ANNUAL LIBERTARIANS VS. REPUBLICANS
CHARITY HOCKEY GAME
Amateur and Former Professional Players Take to the Ice to Support a Good Cause
March 9th, 2024
JFK Memorial Coliseum, Manchester, NH
MANCHESTER, February 26, 2024 – The Annual Libertarians vs. Republicans Charity Hockey Game returns to JFK Memorial Coliseum on March 9th. The event was started in 2022 by Manchester resident Mari Fontaine, as a fundraising event benefitting the Children’s Scholarship Fund of New Hampshire. As one of the most effective school choice programs in the country, Children’s Scholarship Fund is a joint interest of both Libertarians and Republicans.
“I was noticing a lot of tension and division in 2022 with so many difficult things happening in the world,” said event founder Mari Fontaine, “I wanted the game to be something fun for people to focus on and to remember that we don’t have to agree on everything, but we can still share good times together while supporting a great charitable cause.”
The series is now tied at 1-1, so this third game in the series will be the tiebreaker. “I think the Republicans have more talent on paper,” says Libertarian Team Captain Adam Lans, “but we have the chemistry, and hockey is a team game.” Lans is a Manchester business owner and member of New Hampshire’s Power Play Hockey League. The Republican Team is led by Team Captain Stephen Mathieu, a business owner from Plymouth. “Our team has a blend of the old and the young,” said Mathieu, “if not for some great goaltending last year, we would’ve been toast!” Libertarian defenseman, Kevin Flynn says, “I think we will see a lot of talent on both teams again, with of course the occasional pylon in both lineups.”
Neither team will have formal practices together, but most of the players play hockey regularly, and both teams are retaining many of their players from the previous years. “We have been playing together in a scattered fashion at West Side Arena in the mornings,” said Lans, “Some of us play Friday night pick-up, and some play in the Sunday night Men’s League.”
This family-friendly event will start with tailgating in the JFK Arena parking lot one hour before the 4pm game. After the game, the attendees are invited to take to the ice for an open skate. “We love the energy, buzz of the game, and cheering for our team,” says Manchester resident, Viviana Mullin.
ABOUT THE TEAMS
Team Captain for the Republicans is Stephen Mathieu. Players on the Republican Roster include: Stephen Mathieu (Manchester Rams, Beer League), Jonny Mathieu (East Coast Minutemen/Junior B), Jim Matthew (Manchester Over 40 League), Tom Simon (Beer League), Chris Maidment (Beer League), Griffin Connor (Gallasta IK, European League), Jeremy Duhamel (Bow High School, Beer League), Tim Brand (Manchester Rams, Beer League), Tim Schaller (Milwaukee Admirals/AHL) [and five seasons in the NHL with the Bruins, Canucks, and Kings], Doug Platt (Manchester Rams, Beer League), Cooper Roy (Manchester Rams, Beer League), Steve Drouin (Beer League), and James Killeen (Stonehill College, Beer League), and Goalie, Rene Couture (Central High School, Manchester Rams).
Team Captain for the Libertarians is Adam Lans. Players on the Libertarian Roster include: Adam Lans (New Rochelle High School), Donovan Hoy (Pick-up Men’s Hockey), Jakob Smith (FHL, Sweden D2), Gavin Burwell (Pinkerton Academy, Seacoast Spartans), Andrew Schatz (Boys Latin School High School), Robert Lombardo (North Haven High School), Jeff Berlin (Endicott College), Kevin Flynn (Power Play Hockey Men’s League C), Tyler Brown (Power Play Hockey Men’s League D), Gregg Neuendorf (Binghamton University Division 3), Lee Sutherland (Power Play Hockey Men’s League B), Marc Izquierdo (Men’s League C), Colin Going (University of Delaware Division 1), Owen McNulty (Nashua South High School), and Goalie, Jamie Schatz (New Hampton School, Manchester Flames U16).
ABOUT THE EVENT
The third annual charity hockey game benefits the NH Children’s Scholarship Fund. The event includes a tailgate in the parking lot one hour before the game. The hockey game, featuring local players, will start around 4 pm and will consist of the usual three periods, plus overtime if needed. After the game, there will be an open skate for all attendees, with skate rentals available.
CALENDAR EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE:
Libertarians vs. Republicans Charity Hockey Game
WHO: Libertarian and Republican Hockey Teams
WHAT: The Third Annual Libertarians vs. Republicans Charity Hockey Game, Tailgate, and Open Skate
WHEN: Saturday, March 9th, 2024. Tailgate at 3PM, Game at 4PM, Open Skate following the game
WHERE: JFK Memorial Coliseum, 303 Beech St, Manchester, NH 03103
TICKETS: $10 General Admission; Kids 12 and under are free
To purchase tickets, visit libertyhockey.com.
For More Information about the Libertarians vs Republicans Charity Hockey Game, visit libertyhockey.com or facebook.com/charity.hockey.
To learn more about Children’s Scholarship Fund, visit nh.scholarshipfund.org/.
Media Contact:
Annie Henry
annie@tightknotdb.com
603.255.3231
