Irish shows its community spirit
Detroit Fighting Irish coach-general manager Dan Vasquez says his first-place Midwest Jr. Hockey League team is not just about on-ice performance.
While the Fighting Irish will play host to the Michigan Ice Dogs today in a 1:10 p.m. game at the Ice Box Sports Centre in Brownstown, it spent a busy Saturday off the ice doing community service.
Members of the Fighting Irish hosted a youth clinic at the Trenton Ice Arena on Saturday. The clinic was part of the Fighting Irish’s mentoring outreach program called ‘Gaming with the Green.’
“The program is not just about teaching the game of hockey but is geared towards any sport or youth organization,” said Vasquez.
“As part of the program, a group of players and coaches from the Irish program attend an organization’s event and conduct a classroom session which emphasizes that the opportunity to excel in sports can be made possible by a desire to excel in academics and in community service,” Vasquez explained.
Meanwhile today, between the second and third period of its game with the visiting Ice Dogs, the Fighting Irish will hold its annual Teddy Bear Toss.
The toys and animals collected will be distributed to Downriver Detroit’s children with special needs, ranging from health to economic. Vasquez said the Fighting Irish hopes to top last year’s collection, which filled a 24-foot truck.
PHOTO: Members of the Detroit Fighting Irish with aspiring young hockey players, at Saturday’s youth clinic.
Good Work by the boys of the Fighting Irish . .. A true Community Team!
R Hat’s R off to the Irish ! !