January 30, 2004

Rematch: Team MGH takes to the ice against Bruins alums in charity event

The highly anticipated second annual celebrity hockey game between the Black and Gold Legends — a team of former Boston Bruins hockey players — and Team MGH took to the ice Jan. 23 to help raise money for the MGH United Way Campaign. Although Team MGH lost the game, they fared much better this time around, not only doubling their points with a final score of 14 to 10 but also succeeding in raising more than $20,000 for the United Way.

Held at the Harvard University skating rink, the event drew in more than 550 spectators — mostly MGHers, their friends and families — to root for their team. Parents of Liz Turnock, MD, of MGH North End Community Health Center, flew in from Winnipeg, Manitoba to cheer her on. Seventy-four-year old Jim Pratt from MGH Volunteer Services also had a penalty shot for Team MGH during the game.

"This year's team was comprised of players from more than a dozen MGH departments, so it truly was a multidisciplinary effort," says David Read, administrative director for MGH Cardiology and Team MGH captain. "Some MGH employees even helped out by selling hot dogs in the concession stand."

Jeff Davis, MGH senior vice president for Human Resources, also was on hand for the festivities and once again picked the names of raffle winners out of a hospital bedpan. Prizes included a hockey stick signed by team members from the Black and Gold Legends, a goalie mask once worn by Bruins player Gerry Cheevers and other prizes. "Given the success of this year's game, we're already starting to plan for next winter's event. The United Way is a great cause, and having a charity hockey game is a great way to raise funds for the more than 200 nonprofit agencies it helps support throughout eastern Massachusetts," says Read.

At left, Team MGH