(by Steve Hopkins)
The Boston Bruins annual Pucks and Paddles event was held Tuesday at the House of Blues in Boston. The Pucks and Paddles event began with autograph sessions and exhibition matches. The main event was a doubles tournament that matched Bruins team members with fans who had been the highest bidder in an auction. The winning auction bids this year ranged from $1,500 to $10,000. The proceeds raised benefit the Special Olympics and Boston Bruins Foundation. The total amount raised this year was just over $150,000 – a new record for the event.
Twenty-three Bruins participated this year (and also three radio personalities and the President of the Bruins Foundation). The winning team included Bruins player David Krejci from the Czech Republic. Team Krejci defeated Team Frederic – with Trent Frederic. Both Krejci and Frederic are forwards on the Bruins. There was extra excitement this year, as the team is on a record-setting pace. The team is currently 49-8, nearly 10 full games ahead of the next closest competitor.
In addition to the Player/Fan team tournament – there were also a series of exhibition matches. The final match of the night was a doubles match between event host Patrice Bergeron who teamed with Marchand (“Team Canada”) who faced off against David Pastrnak and David Krejci (“Team Czech Republic”) in a fun grudge match. Each player risked $1,000 of their own money – with the proceeds from the losing team ($2,000) going to the Charity. The grudge match was great entertainment with solid play from all four, long rallies, live commentary, a lively crowd, and a little trash talk (both from the teams at the table and their teammates who heckled from the sidelines). It was a really good time for players and fans alike – and most importantly it was for a good cause.
Rhode Island Table Tennis Association showed up in force to support the event. Steve Hopkins was in charge of Tournament Ops, and RITTA players served as Referees – and we brought balls that Butterfly provided as well. The group had a great time promoting their club and the sport, while also contributing to this annual event. RI Table Tennis volunteers included Steve Hopkins, Manny Silva, Krystian Przybylko, Marta Lachcik, Igor Yankov, Ken Eng, Kyle Tacy, and Brian Scott.
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