The Bakersfield Condors professional hockey team will hold its third annual Hockey-thon, which is 27-hours of consecutive hockey games to raise money for breast cancer.
The event benefits the Links of Life resource center in Bakersfield and will be held Feb. 16-17 at Rabobank Arena and Ice Sports Center.
Kevin Barrett, a former Condors/Fog defenseman, lost his mother to breast cancer in 2004. Due to his loss, he was inspired to create the Hockey-thon to raise money for Links of Life.
It took less than a year to call Barrett’s old Condors buddies and to get sponsors like Bright House Network, KUZZ radio station, Rabobank Arena, Grand Island Pools, and the Ice Sports Center.
On March 25, 2005, 90 people showed up to the first Hockey-thon. Later that year on Dec. 30, the second Hockey-thon was held and completed on New Year’s Eve. The event has raised $43,766.47.
In the event this year, the Condors will start play against Long Beach in the Rabobank Arena at 7 p.m. Feb. 16 and after the game, the hockey-thon will be moved to the Ice Sports Center from 11 p.m. Feb. 16 to 4 p.m. Feb. 17.
During these hockey games the public is welcome to watch and make donations. From the Gold leagues to the beginners, hockey will be played, and after 7 p.m. the event will be moved back to Rabobank for a celebrity game.
Local celebrities will participate such as Alan Tandy, Bakersfield city manager; Andy Kehe, sports columnist for the Bakersfield Californian; and Scott Hay, Ice Sports general manager. The final game will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 17 with the Condors playing.
Paul Willett, 37, hockey manager of the Ice Sports Center said that in the parking lot there would be barbecue and music. Since it’s a 27-hour event, people could buy food in the snack bar or participants could get free food in the parking lot.
“It’s a big event,” said Willett. “I personally haven’t lost someone to breast cancer but if we could help in any way to raise money just for them to live a prolonged life then it’s great.”
The Ice Sports Center will have adult leagues playing at night and minor leagues playing in the morning.
In order to play in the event, participants have to raise a minimum of $200. Equipment could be provided in the Ice Sports Center. All profits and donations will be given to Links of Life.
Justin Fahsbender, 25, director of group sales in the Condors front office, said, ” the event is getting bigger financially and more players and fans are giving us a lot of support.”
Each player will get two tickets to the Condors’ Feb. 17 game and a complementary jersey.
If you wish to purchase tickets for the Condors game, it will be $5 in the box office.
For more information, check the Web sites hockey-thon.com and bakersfieldcondors.com or call Kevin Barrett 201-7410 and Justin Fahsbender 324-6929 or 324- PUCK (7825)