Aces draw full house at Brett Memorial Arena

WASILLA - Nearly 200 kids turned out at the Brett Memorial Arena Tuesday evening to skate with their hockey heroes.

The price of admission for each child was only one unwrapped toy.

Eleven representatives from the Anchorage Aces hockey team visited the Brett Memorial Arena to skate, sign autographs and talk with Valley skaters.

"When the Aces showed up, all the skating stopped," Toys for Tots organizer Stephanie Tri said. "We had some young kids with some very big eyes. I couldn't believe the turnout."

The Valley's youth hockey players and fans had a rare opportunity to meet and greet the Aces during a free skate program to benefit children in need.

"We've got a lot of loyal fans out in the Valley area," Aces general manager Derek Donald said. "It's a good opportunity for kids in the Valley to get up close with Aces players and get autographs and photos."

The night was sponsored by the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

"We even got the Marines out skating," Tri said. "[Boomer the Polar Bear] gave out a lot of hugs."

The toys were taken to the National Guard Armory gymnasium, which is already packed full of toys accumulated by the Marines for distribution to Valley charities.

"We will start separating them [today]," Tri said. "Distribution will start on Monday."

Photo : Dan McIntyre is inundated with Valley kids wanting autographs. He was the first Ace to show up at Brett Memorial Arena Tuesday night.

Photo by GENE JANSEN/Frontiersman.