The Los Angeles Kings are hosting a celebrity and NHL alumni game at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 23 to benefit the L.A. Fire Relief Fund, it was announced Wednesday night.
Tickets for the event, dubbed “Skate for L.A. Strong,” will be distributed to firefighters, first responders and those who have been displaced or lost homes, actor and hockey fan Will Arnett said on TNT before the Kings faced off against the Florida Panthers.
Current players, former players and first responders are expected to join celebrities in the game, Arnett said. No tickets will be sold.
Added Kings president and Hockey Hall of Famer Luc Robitaille on the broadcast: “We spoke to commissioner [Gary] Bettman and said instead of donating money, let’s do something that’s [even more] impactful.
“The idea is to get as many people into the building as possible. We’re going to try to get first responders and their families in as a thank you, and then evacuated families … we’re going to bring them in, too.”
On Monday night, the Kings unveiled a new center ice logo at Crypto.com Arena to honor firefighters before their game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, their first at home since the wildfires erupted on Jan. 7.
Firefighters and first responders from various departments were honored on the ice before the contest, and players from both teams donned LAFD caps during warmups. Firefighters were similarly saluted before Wednesday’s game.
