ABOUT

Saturday, March 18, 2023 the MI-UCP Pucksters will renew its rivalry with the Detroit Red Wing Alumni.

The MI-UCP Charity Hockey Event is FREE to all and benefits MI-UCP (Michigan United Cerebral Palsy). It takes place at St. Mary's Arena on the campus of Orchard Lake St. Mary's, 3535 Indian Trail, West Bloomfield Township, MI. The event will begin at 4:00 pm with a Sled Hockey exhibition featuring the UCP Sledsters and Metro Detroit Sled Hockey Program players and then the Red Wing Alumni-UCP Pucksters game at 6:00 pm.

All proceeds from this charity event will be used to assist people with disabilities and their families. MI-UCP s a local non-profit advocacy organization representing the needs of all people with disabilities and their families all across Michigan. Eighty-Five percent of every dollar raised from UCP special events is used for programs and services that benefit directly the people we serve.

The Detroit Red Wing Alumni Association, which is the oldest such organization in the NHL, now plays around 30 games a year to the benefit of worthy charities. This group uses their status as former NHL players to bring people together for a common goal...to raise spirits and raise money for some wonderful organizations.

The alumni roster includes such names as Darren McCarty, Todd Bertuzzi, Joe Kocur, Brent Fedyk, Pat Peake, Red Berenson, John Ogrodnick, Jimmy Carson, Dino Ciccarelli, Jason Woolley and fan favorite, Mickey Redmond.

Together, we have raised more than $540,000 over the past 20 events to support the programs and services provided for the disability community.

Michael Gatien will sing the national anthem

(and also be our PA announcer for both games).

My name is Michael Gatien, 32 years old; I am a local PA Announcer and anthem singer from Ann Arbor. I am getting a major in communications and a minor in Marketing at Eastern Michigan University and someday hopefully fill

in on the PA mic for a varsity basketball or football contest. I have announced baseball, softball, soccer, field hockey, a little football, lacrosse, basketball, volleyball and ice hockey. Even swimming and diving plus 2 track meets. Besides singing anthem, I love PA Announcing more than anything. When announcing; I am entertaining, yet serious and give it my own unique style. And I don’t just enjoy hearing my own voice, but I love giving back to the team that has no PA announcer. Although I have called a FULL college baseball at Comerica Park as well as Jackson Field in Lansing (also did 1 complete inning for the Lugnuts), if I keep chasing my dreams and doing my very best; when I least expect it’s, I’ll truly hit the big leagues. Anthem singing is a bit nerve wracking for me, but still love to do it.

MI-UCP board member Steve Lyons will drop the puck.

Stephen has cerebral palsy but defies the label of having a disability. He graduated from Michigan State University with a BA in Political Science and has worked in the IT industry his entire career. Having worked at EDS, Ford, CSC, and Ally Bank in Detroit as a Unix Administrator. The road to MI-UCP started with his father, an attorney, who knew Richard Beer, former UCP/Detroit board member, and Oakland County Law Librarian. Richard invited Stephen to consider joining the board which led to him working as the Metro Detroit delegate to the state of Michigan chapter of UCP. His board experience allows him an opportunity to give back to the community in a positive way. Steve currently serves as a board officer.

Ms. Wheelchair Michigan will help hand out awards

Jamie Junior (She/Her) is a woman with Cerebral Palsy and proud wheelchair user who is mother, daughter, business owner and life-long advocate for herself and others. In addition to being Ms. Wheelchair Michigan, Jamie is Advocacy & Community Education Coordinator with the Disability Network of Wayne County-Detroit.

As Ms. Wheelchair Michigan, Jamie will use her platform to heighten awareness to the need for greater financial stability, affordable and adaptable housing as well as access to accessible transportation.

Jamie believes that “everyone, regardless of ability, has the right have full access to their community, and enjoy financial self-sufficiency, and to live a self-determined life.”

LEARN MORE ABOUT MI-UCP HERE>>>