MARINER

Weymouth charity hockey game features squad of Bruins stars

Jordan Tillery
Wicked Local
Boston Bruins alumni, including Tim Sweeney, Rick Middleton, Guy Larose, and Bruce Shoebottom, took on a team of police and firefighters from Weymouth, Abington and Rockland in a charity hockey game to benefit HUG (Help us Give Foundation), to celebrate the grand opening of the SouthField Street Hockey Rink, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015.

WEYMOUTH - Former Boston Bruins players dressed in white matching T-shirts with the iconic spoked “B” logo, waited eagerly on the side of the SouthField Street Hockey Rink for the game to begin.

They were prepared to face-off against members of the Weymouth, Rockland and Abington police and fire departments – all for charity.

The HUG (Help Us Give) Foundation and the grand opening of the new SouthField Street Hockey Rink in Weymouth brought the two teams together Saturday afternoon.

The players ran up and down the green regulation-sized rink, chasing after a neon orange ball, hockey sticks in hand. Temporary bleachers were set up for the game and were completely filled by the time Weymouth Mayor Susan Kay dropped the first ball.

Former Bruins included Rick Middleton, Guy Larose, Tim Sweeney and Bruce Shoebottom.

Division President Matt Barry of LStar Management, which owns SouthField, was part of the planning and construction of the rink.

Barry said he’s already seen people using the rink even though it hadn’t had its inaugural opening yet.

Middleton, a former Bruins captain, said he thinks the rink will be a great opportunity for kids.

“I remember growing up in Toronto we used to play in the street,” Middleton said. “I learned a lot about hockey that way.”

Middleton signed autographs and took pictures when he wasn’t busy with the game.

One man took a picture of his two young sons with Middleton. “They may not know who you are,” he said. “But I remember watching you on TV all the time.”

Earlier in the morning some of the Bruins alumni held free hockey clinics to help with technique.

Connie Falasca brought her son Aiden, 7, to the clinic and stayed for the game.

“He got to go around after and have all the Bruins autograph his shirt,” Falasca said.

Aiden was wearing a bright blue T-shirt with the Weymouth Street Hockey League symbol on it.

The roughly 1-year-old league may now have a new practice spot. Barry encourages the rinks use for both recreational and pick-up games. He said he hopes to be able to freeze it come winter for ice hockey, although that has yet to be worked out.

The HUG Foundation held a silent auction of Bruins memorabilia. They also had Bruins items, such as, lunch boxes and flip-flops for sale with proceeds going toward the Abington-based nonprofit, which raises money to distribute to families in need during times of financial hardship due to illness or injury.

The game ended in a tie with a score of 9-9.