Orlando, FLA – Items are pouring in for the silent auction and players are signing up to play in the ‘Pros vs. Joes” benefit game for Maryann Lounsbury.
So far, the list of auction items includes: an autographed stick signed by the entire roster of the Washington Capitals; individual autographs from Capitals’ stars Alex Ovechkin and Semyon Varlamov; a weekend stay at the Lenox Hotel in Boston (valued at $450 per night); a weekend stay at the Back Bay Hilton in Boston; two Boston Bruins tickets and two Boston Celtics tickets in the WHDH-TV (Channel 7) News luxury box; an autographed Boston Bruins jersey; a 3 night – 4 day stay in Mexico with more items coming in.
The pros playing list includes: Josh Piro, Mike O’Sullivan, Tristan Lush, Pat Doherty, Sean Edwards, Adam Geregosian, Dan Hickman, Erik Kent and Mark Pandolfo. Also set to appear are Steve Carlson, the man who portrayed hockey player Steve Hanson in the “Slap Shot” movies as well as 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey captain Mike Eruzione.
As more auction items and players are confirmed, ProHockeyNews.com will let you know about them.
ORLANDO, FLA – The holiday season is supposed to be a time for happiness. In a perfect world it would be but real life can sometimes be anything but idyllic. For former Huntsville Havoc captain and present Bridgton Academy head coach Jon Lounsbury, life has thrown a very large monkey wrench into what had been a season of hope for his family. Now he is calling on his sport and his friends to lend a hand for a very special lady. On Saturday, January 9th, 2010, Lounsbury will be hosting a “Pros vs. Joes” charity hockey game and silent auction at Larsen Rink in Winthrop, MA starting at 7 PM. All of the proceeds from the evening will go toward the medical costs for his mother Maryann who is battling cancer. Maryann Lounsbury’s fight with cancer dates back to her son’s days in Huntsville. During that time, she fought off non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and was declared in remission by her doctors. All was well until approximately a month ago when she began having pains in her lower back. Her doctor ordered a biopsy on a mass in her spine and found it to be a form of lymphoma. The doctors were not sure how far advanced or how aggressive this new cancer was so they determined the course of treatment would be a bone marrow and stem cell transplant. Feeling that time was of the essence, they scheduled the 65-year old mom for surgery on December 1st. What was already a tense time was turned upside down on November 29th – the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend – when Maryann’s surgeon called and told her that her health insurance provider had denied the claim and would not pay for the procedure. The reasons given were her age and the cost, which was estimated at over $400,000. “It was devastating. Her age wasn’t the deciding factor but it was a factor,” Jon said. “I think the shock of it all was that they wouldn’t cover it because of the cost. The feeling my family had when she said she was going to get the transplant was that it was life changing. Being denied it is like crushing a dream.” The family began brainstorming for ways to come up with the money to pay for the surgery. Jon’s oldest brother Brian suggested a charity event and middle brother Geoff, who played hockey in college like Jon did, thought a hockey event would fit the bill. “Geoff and I said we have a ton of support in town and I know I had a ton of support around me from the places I played so let’s do a charity hockey game and see what we can bring in,” Jon said. “When I stared spreading the word, friends that I played with in the past have been just outstanding.” They decided on a “Pros versus Joes” format with the “Pros” being guys who have played minor league hockey. The “Joes” team will be comprised of players who played college hockey, including Geoff, but never made the jump to the professional ranks. The initial list of pro players reads like a who’s who of minor league hockey with an emphasis on the SPHL. Nick Niedert, who played for several SPHL squads and won a championship in the EPHL a year ago, said he would fly into Boston for the game. Former Fayetteville FireAntz players Mike Fournier (a Massachusetts native and current member of the United States Air Force) and Sean Edwards jumped at the chance to help out. Chris Shaw, Tristan Lush, Pat Doherty and Mike O’Sullivan who all played with Lounsbury in Huntsville have also committed to play. The extended SPHL family is also lending its support. Lounsbury said that Fournier and Edwards are looking into ways to get the fans in Fayetteville involved. Huntsville owner Keith Jeffries and the team are sending a Lounsbury jersey up for the silent auction that will accompany the game. The fans in Huntsville are also planning some events to raise money for the cause. The Lounsbury jersey is just one of many items that have already been promised for the auction. Boston Red Sox – New York Yankees tickets, Boston Bruins tickets and autographed Bruins jerseys are all awaiting the highest bidders with items being added to the list almost on a daily basis. Lounsbury said that any items that people would like to donate for the auction would be gladly and thankfully accepted. There will also be a 50/50 raffle, a DJ and a reception following the game. Lounsbury was excited about the news that over the past weekend, former Boston University and 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey captain (and Winthrop native) Mike Eruzione has agreed to lend his support by attending the game For people who can’t make the game but would like to contribute, the family set up a fund. Checks can be made out to “Friends of Maryann” and mailed to 27 Bowdoin St., Winthrop, MA 02152. ProHockeyNews.com will follow the progress of the event and provide more details as they become available. Contact the author at don.money@prohockeynews.com
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