MADISON SQUARE GARDEN — New York Rangers goalie Steve Valiquette was among a line of current and former hockey pros teaming up Wednesday night to raise money for aspiring Harlem players.
The Winter Sports Auction was the 23rd annual fund-raiser for Ice Hockey in Harlem, a non-profit organization headquartered in East Harlem that has been giving inner-city Manhattanites a chance to dream of the hockey rink since 1987.
Valiquette was joined by teammates Artem Anisimov, Brian Boyle, and P.A. Parenteau as well as old timers Rod Gilbert, Adam Graves, Gilles Villemure and Pete Stemkowski at Madison Square Gardens' Play by Play restaurant, signing autographs and selling sports memorabilia for the cause.
"Being able to have an impact on their lives, watching them achieve their dreams, is a dream come true for me," Valiquette said. "It's one of the best parts of being a New York Ranger."
The sale of memorabilia like the autographed hockey sticks, Yankees photos, and jerseys signed by football great Joe Namath and New York Giant Eli Manning at this year's event has raised $70,000 in the past for ice time and scholarships.
Future goalie Alvin Dow, 12, got an autograph this year from his hero, No. 40 Steve Valiquette. Alvin first laced up with Ice Hockey in Harlem when he was seven.
"I definitely believe I can be a New York Ranger. In fact, I know it," said Alvin.
He's one of 250 students in the program who skate once a week — but only as a reward for achievement in math, reading and geography classes, where hockey statistics and hockey cities are used as as teaching tools.
"If we make the next Mark Messier, Brian Leach or Jarome Iginla, that's great, but we are more interested in getting kids better prepared for life," said Craig Stanton, who serves on Ice Hockey in Harlem's board of directors.
"You don't see too many black hockey players," Ice Hockey in Harlem Assistant Coach Mike Harrold said. "They don't have the access. This program gives them that."
Can Alvin be the next New York Rangers goalie? Alvin says there's no doubt about it. But at the very least, he promises to get good grades.
