Storm's alumni game to feature familiar faces
2/18/2006The president of the Toledo Storm will square off against the team's coaches today in a charity game.
The organization is holding its Storm alumni game prior to tonight's ECHL contest against Wheeling. The trio will join 19 former players who will participate in the contest that starts at 5 p.m. at the Sports Arena.
Storm coach Nick Vitucci will be a goaltender and his assistant Stan Drulia will play in the game along with Storm president Barry Soskin. Four former Goaldiggers also are slated to appear including Bill Joyce, Jim McCabe, Dave Falkenburg and goalie Ted Tucker.
Storm alumni who will participate include Iain Duncan, Pat Pylypuik, Bruce MacDonald, Norm Dezainde, Andy Suhy, Rick Judson, Shawn Penn, Mike Whitton, Wade Bartley, Alex Roberts, Don Stone, Gordie Hunt and goalies Doug Teskey and Mike Williams.
Duncan, who handles alumni activities for the Storm, organized the event.
"I picked all the good guys to be on my team," Duncan joked. "Some of the guys asked if they could bring beer in the locker room.
"Everyone wants to see each other. It will be nice to get everyone back in town."
The game will consist of two 25-minute running periods. It will be four-on-four with referees.
All of the alumni jerseys will be signed and auctioned off after the game against Wheeling. All proceeds will go to the Dave Thomas Foundation.
Tickets are valid for both the alumni game and the regular season contest, which begins at 7:35 p.m. and will feature the annual Teddy Bear Toss.
Fans are encouraged to throw a new stuffed animal on the ice when Toledo scores its first goal. The animals will be donated to the Lucas County Children Services.
"It's a two-for-one kind of thing," Duncan said. "It's two games for the price of one."
- Mark Monroe