Editor’s note: ProHockeyNews.com’s newest SPHL beat writer, Sean Edwards, recently took part in the “Friends of Maryann” charity weekend that included a charity hockey game and auction. This is Sean’s first person account of the weekend. FAYETTEVILLE, NC – As a former professional hockey player, I have played in many cities around the United States with many great hockey players. I have been a part of many big games but never an event like this. This past weekend, I had the privilege of participating in an event that I was honored to be a part of – the “Friends of Maryann” charity hockey game in Winthrop, Massachusetts. Former Huntsville Havoc captain Jon Lounsbury’s mother Maryann has been battling cancer and a major operation needs to take place to save her life. Unfortunately, Medicare denied the surgery, deeming it not medically necessary. The fundraising event was designed to help raise money for the medical costs associates with the procedure. Being that Jon is a great guy and was part of my wedding party last summer, there was never any hesitation when he called to ask me to play in the game. I hopped on a plane and flew to Boston for the weekend to catch up with some old teammates and former foes for a great cause. When Jon first called me, I immediately called Josh Piro, a former teammate of mine in Fayetteville. Josh was at home in Johnstown, PA, sitting out the season awaiting shoulder surgery. When I told him about the game, he jumped at the chance to be a part of the event. If there is one thing I have learned through my career as a hockey player, it is that being a hockey player is like being in a fraternity – no matter what, we all have each other’s back. Whether you were teammates or opponents, we’re all part of the hockey family in the end. It was a theme that ran throughout the weekend. Several of the guys on hand were well known to SPHL fans. Former Huntsville Havoc and Richmond Renegade forward Mike O’Sullivan came up from his home in nearby Dorchester. Two other former Renegades, Dan Hickman and Drew Madeiros, jumped at the chance to participate. The Twin City Cyclones were represented by Piro and goalie Adam Geragosian. Another former Havoc player, Tristan Lush, also signed on to play. There were several other pros on hand as well. Although former Fayetteville FireAntz defenseman Mike Fournier (on leave from the US Air Force) was unable to make it in, he helped out in several ways behind the scenes with gifts for the silent auction. There were many highlights from the weekend, from taking in the BU-BC game at a watering hole in the shadow of the Green Monster at Fenway Park to attending the Bruins-Rangers game on Saturday afternoon (thanks to the wonderful Michelle Sturgeon for that). As night fell over Winthrop, the stage was set for the “Joes vs. Pros” match-up. The Joes team consisted of former Division 1 and 3 college players, captained by Geoff Lounsbury, Jon’s older brother and Maryann’s son. The squad was coached by the other Lounsbury son, Brian. After a ceremonial puck drop between Jon and Geoff and an address from Massachusetts Speaker of the House Bob DeLeo, it was game on. From the outset, it was evident that the Joes were in it to win it as they came out hard and fast. Jon had an idea this was going to happen and warned us in the locker room before the game (he told us that the Joes were joking about having had a “team meal” the night before to discuss strategy and bond – it looked like they weren’t kidding). The Joes tried to skate our Pros team end-to-end and into the ice. They also executed several set plays, one of which stuck in my mind. Off of a face-off in our defensive end, Joes center Ryan Murphy (Curry College) tied up Josh Piro and moved him forward. Winger Bobby Kneeland (Boston College) came in off the boards, picked up the loose puck and buried it behind Geragosian. Josh and I stood there in amazement. When Josh said to Murphy “nice play”, Murphy came back with “thanks, we’ve been using it since high school”. Down 2-0 heading into the first intermission, we had a little discussion in the dressing room. We decided that we better start playing or we were going to look bad for not giving the fans what they wanted – pros putting on a show. 
It was great to see everyone taking the game seriously. The pace was fast and the skill level was high. If it weren’t for players like Hickman with his blazing rushes and crisp passing, the game would have been ugly for the Pros. I will say that by the looks of it, Jon Lounsbury, now the head coach at Bridgton Academy in Maine, could fit right in on any minor league team’s roster today. Playing forward instead of his natural defense position, Jon had emotion and a large hometown crowd on his side. Many of the spectators hadn’t seen Jon play in person since his minor hockey days. Blessed with great speed and a hockey sense unmatched by many, Jon dazzled the crowd with electrifying end-to-end rushes. While Jon was dashing up and down the ice, former teammate O’Sullivan was putting on a puck handling clinic that rivaled those seen out of Alexander Ovechkin. Nicknamed “The Pirate” (why, we aren’t sure), Sully toe dragged himself around the rink while the Joes looked on in awe. Piro showed off his face-off skills, winning several key draws for us and scored a nice goal while looking like the player I’m sure Cyclones fans are missing even as I write this. Madeiros scored two goals within 30 seconds of each other in the exact same fashion. The fans and players were also treated to a very special appearance by Steve Carlson who played Steve Hanson, one of the famous Hanson brothers, from the cult classic “SlapShot” movies. Josh Piro best friend while growing up was Steve’s son Adam so all it took was a well-placed phone call and Steve Carlson was on board. He showed up in the vintage “Chiefs” uniform and sporting the thick-rimmed glasses that became an iconic item to hockey fans across the world. He put on a classic Hanson brothers show, trash talking the other players, annoying the referees and “gooning” up the game like he did in the movies. He did it all to a soundtrack of thunderous cheering from the stands. (It should be noted that Dan Hickman’s first encounter with Carlson was unforgettable. Seems he was a little unsure how to get to the arena so he called us at the hotel and asked if he could follow us. The look on Dan’s face when Steve popped out of his car to flag us down was priceless!!!) Needless to say, the Pros ended up coming back and beat the Joes with a goal in the final minute of the contest. Both Lounsbury boys chipped in with a goal while Joes goalie Lenny Mosca (Curry College) stole the show by making at least 50 saves in the game. When the game was over, it was time for some group pictures and although I didn’t speak with many of the Joes, they all agreed that this game is something that we need to do annually. The night wasn’t even close to being over when the final buzzer sounded. There was a silent auction of donated items for folks to bid on. The items included Bruins and Red Sox tickets, autographed items, scenic flights over the city, hotel stays and much more. Then it was on to the post-game reception where former USA Olympic hockey captain and Lounsbury family friend Mike Eruzione met everyone involved. For me, it was a thrill to be able to meet such a legend. Even to this day when I see the video footage of Eruzione’s game-winning goal against the Russians at Lake Placid in 1980, I get chills up and down my spine. It was the kind of goal that everyone of us who has laced up the skates dreams of. In the end, the game and auction raised just over $30,000. It was a great feeling to be a part of something so big. It was also heartwarming to see just how much support the Lounsbury family has in their small, New England town of Winthrop. Flying back to North Carolina the next day, I felt tired and a little disappointed that we don’t get to do something like this every weekend. There is talk of making this even a yearly gathering with proceeds going to scholarships. I can guarantee you that is that happens, everyone involved will be back next year and that it will grow bigger and bigger each time. There are so many other memories that will stay with me, from the hotel gatherings to meeting up with players and friends I hadn’t seen in a long time. In all my years playing minor league hockey, this has to be one of the best memories I will ever have. This is the first article I have written for publication but to keep with the theme and quote legendary sportswriter Dicky Dunn of “SlapShot” fame, “I was just trying to capture the spirit of the thing.” On behalf of the Lounsbury family and the players, thank you for your support in making this event a success. Contact the author at sean.edwards@prohockeynews.com
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