NHL Stars Coming To Atlantic City

The NHL season continues going down the tubes, but some of its stars are coming to Atlantic City!

The stars plan to play an exhibition game at Boardwalk Hall will proceeds benefiting Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

Here's the release from Boardwalk Hall officials:

Hockey All-Stars Brad Richards and Scott Hartnell in partnership with Caesars Atlantic City today announced “Operation Hat Trick,” a charity hockey game that will take place in Atlantic City, N.J. on Saturday, November 24 at 7pm at Historic Boardwalk Hall. All proceeds from the event will go directly to the Empire State Relief Fund, the New Jersey Hurricane Relief Fund and the American Red Cross, aiding New York and New Jersey families affect by Hurricane Sandy.  Tickets, which go on sale Friday, November 16 at 10am and are priced from $20 - $100, can be purchased at the Boardwalk Hall Box Office, ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations, or by calling 800-736-1420.  For more information about the event, visit www.facebook.com/atlanticcityheroes

• 97.3 ESPN Will Be Broadcasting the Locally

“We are all overwhelmed by the damage and destruction caused to our area by Hurricane Sandy and as professional hockey players, we wanted to come together to help those who were victimized by the storm,” said Brad Richards. “While we know the road to recovery is long, we hope a hockey game featuring some of the top players in our sport will help rally additional support for the three great organizations that are committed to helping rebuild our area.”

Richards and Hartnell will each captain a team represented by several of their professional teammates as well as other notable legends from throughout the hockey world.

“The lives that have been touched by the devastation are people in our own communities and the communities of our fans,” said Scott Hartnell.  “To have the opportunity to be able to raise money for the relief effort by participating in this game is an honor and we are asking fans of the tri-state area to assist in anyway they can to help the communities and people affected.”

Joining Richards and Hartnell, either on the ice or in support of “Operation Hat Trick”, include: Bobby Ryan, Kimmo Timonen, Braydon Coburn, James van Riemsdyk, Simon Gagne, Ville Leino, Daniel Carcillo, Steve Eminger, Jeff Halpern, Brian Boyle, Jody Shelley, John Carlson, Taylor Pyatt, Steve Downie, Wayne Simmonds  and James Neal.

“We are grateful that these athletes have come together to assist in our ongoing rebuilding efforts from Hurricane Sandy,” said New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. “I’m hopeful that their efforts will be met with overwhelming support from those who are in a position to attend to help our recovery organizations.”

“A roster of this magnitude reads as though Atlantic City is hosting the American and International All-Star hockey game of the year – all to benefit those in our region affected by Hurricane Sandy,” said Don Marrandino, Eastern Division President for Caesars Entertainment. “I applaud the efforts of difference-makers like Brad Richards and Scott Hartnell, and the rest of these hockey-world superstars, as well as our phenomenal partners like the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority, Boardwalk Hall and Reebok,” said Marrandino.

“The National spotlight will be on Atlantic City next weekend, allowing the community to showcase what a diverse entertainment destination we are.  A key tactic in the strategy of revitalizing Atlantic City is offering events such as this at a time when it is most needed.  We as a business community benefit from the thousands of fans who will choose to visit our destination during that weekend and we look forward to a great event,” continued Marrandino.