RPI Prepares for Exciting Weekend
TROY, N.Y. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men’s hockey team kicks off a weekend full of special events beginning on Friday with Military Appreciation Night against Colgate at the Houston Field House at 7pm. The Engineers will then induct Garry Kearns ’58 into the Hockey Ring of Honor on Saturday as they host Cornell in the Whiteout! – a game that will be aired live nationally on the NHL Network beginning at 3:30pm.
A number of events will take place to celebrate Friday’s Military Appreciation Night against the Raiders, including a tricycle race during the first intermission between dueling ROTC squads. A Chuck-a-Puck contest will be held at the second intermission, with the winner receiving an Engineers t-shirt and coupons that are valid for one free combo meal from Taco Bell, once a month, for an entire year.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to recognize and honor the men and women who serve our country and protect our freedoms,” said head coach Seth Appert. “We are honored to share this game and night with them.”
Additionally, the first 1,000 fans through the door on Friday will receive a Quiznos “green” re-usable bag. Fans can then bring that bag to the store’s Troy location at 720 Hoosick Road to receive the offer of the week.
Saturday’s contest, which is RPI’s annual Whiteout! game, marks the induction of Kearns into the prestigious Hockey Ring of Honor. A former player and coach of the Engineers, Kearns played for legendary coach Ned Harkness for three seasons, compiling 61 goals with 83 assists for 144 points, helping the team to a career record of 40-18-2.
“It will be great to see Garry Kearns be inducted into the Ring of Honor on Saturday,” said Appert. “He may be the most important person in the great history of our program, leaving his mark as a player, coach and active alum.”
The Engineers will also be celebrating National Hockey Coaches Care Night on Saturday. A raffle will be held for the cause, with various items offered – including a signed jersey. The goal of the event is to raise money for Hockey Coaches Care, an organization committed to helping members of the amateur hockey community in times of great need.
“We are excited to do our part as our program and the entire college hockey community looks to raise over $100,000 for Hockey Coaches Care,” said Appert.
Following the game against Cornell an open skate, which does not include the men’s hockey team, will be held as part of the Institute’s Winter Carnival. The event starts at 6pm and fans are asked to bring their own skates.
Live stats for both games will be available at http://www.rpiathletics.com/livestats and will feature a live pay-per-view webcast at http://www.rpiathletics.com/webcasts. Saturday's game will be televised locally on Time Warner Cable Sports (Channel 3) and across North America on the NHL Network. Additionally, the contest can be followed live courtesy of WRPI radio on 91.5 FM WRPI or log on to www.wrpi.org.
