Congressman Patrick Meehan (PA-7), a former professional hockey referee, will trade politicking for power plays and participate in the third annual Congressional Hockey Challenge tonight at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC, his office announced today.
“My game, like my skates, is rather rusty. When I fall, I hope at least it looks like I am blocking a shot,” the congressman said in a press announcement. “Honestly, I am really looking forward to the game and supporting a great cause. I hope any child inspired to take up hockey will come love it as much as I did as a kid.”
The annual contest pits a team of legislators and congressional staffers – including Senator John Kerry (D-MA) and Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY) – against a team of registered lobbyists. Proceeds from this year’s game, which is scheduled to be attended by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Hall of Famer Pat LaFontaine, will benefit the Fort DuPont Ice Hockey Club, a DC-based organization that works to introduce urban youth to ice hockey.
“It’s great to work across the aisle to promote sportsmanship and to support the Fort DuPont Ice Hockey Program,” said Congressman Larry Bucson (R-IN), another first-year participant.
Indeed, nowhere is the game’s absence of politics more evident than in the lawmakers’ projected lineup. Meehan, the freshman GOP congressman and former George W. Bush-appointed prosecutor, will play left wing.
For more information on the Congressional Hockey Challenge, click here.