It will be a big weekend at Hamilton Community Center and Ice Arena with Columbus Youth Hockey teams hosting the Fuel The Flame fundraiser.
The Columbus Icemen high school squad and several Columbus Flames youth teams will be playing games against opponents from Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky from 1:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday and 7:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. The Icemen will play the final game of the weekend at 12:15 p.m. Sunday.
The Columbus teams also will host a Try Hockey For Free event from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. Saturday at the arena. The programs is designed to provide kids between the ages of 4 and 9 a free experience to try youth hockey. Free equipment is available to use, and no experience is necessary.
Participants need to register in advance online at www.tryhockeyforfree.com and are asked to arrive 30 minutes early on Saturday if they need to be fitted for equipment.
All games are open to the public and free of charge to attend. The Fuel The Flame event will feature a silent auction on Saturday. Two food trucks will be on site starting at 3 p.m. Saturday, and there will be a shootout competition beginning at 8 p.m. Saturday.
All money raised from the events will be used to help with scholarships for families who might be struggling financially, but want to play hockey. Equipment also will be purchased with some of the proceeds.
“We don’t want cost to be prohibitive of families getting involved with youth hockey in Columbus,” said Lt. Matthew Harris, public relations officer for Columbus Police Department. “We’re able to help families out with equipment and have scholarship opportunities, as well.”
