Teams throughout the region to play at Steel Ice Center in Bethlehem and The Rink at Lehigh Valley in Whitehall

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. (July 17, 2015) – Hockey Fights MS, a unique organization that raises funds in support of multiple sclerosis research and treatment, will hold its annual adult men’s and women’s ice hockey tournaments in August. This year marks their 10th anniversary.

Approximately 60 adult ice hockey teams from throughout the mid-Atlantic and Southeast region are expected to participate in the tournaments. All games for the women’s tournament will be played at The Steel Ice Center in Bethlehem, Pa. (30 E. First St., Bethlehem, PA. 18015). Because the men’s tournament is so large, the majority of the games will be played at the Steel Ice Center, however, games will also be played at The Rink at Lehigh Valley in Whitehall, Pa. (3323 Seventh St., Whitehall, PA 18052).

All proceeds from the events will benefit the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network MS Wellness Program, a bi-weekly program that offers activities to enhance the quality of life for participants with Multiple Sclerosis.

The women’s hockey teams will take to the ice on August 7 - 9, 2015 and the men will face off the following weekend, August 13 - 16, 2015. Tentative tournament competition times are as follows:

Friday, August 7 (Women): 5 - 11 p.m. Saturday, August 8 (Women): 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sunday, August 9 (Women): 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Thursday, August 13 (Men):  7 - 11:30 p.m. (games only at Steel Ice Center) Friday, August 9 (Men): 5 - 11:30 p.m. Saturday, August 10 (Men): 8 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. Sunday, August 11 (Men): 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Hockey Fights MS was founded in 2005 by tournament director Candice Arnold, who has MS. Since its beginning, the organization has raised more than $130,000 through these annual ice hockey tournaments. All proceeds raised by Hockey Fights MS are used to support MS research, treatment, and quality of life initiatives.

“Hockey Fights MS is an event Discover Lehigh Valley Sports is proud to be connected to and associated with” says Michael Kusmuck, Director of Sports Marketing at Discover Lehigh Valley Sports. “The year-round consistent and tireless efforts of Candice Arnold have successfully grown the event each and every year, to the point this year where there are actually two Hockey Fights MS Tournament weekends in Lehigh Valley. Candice and her tournament organizing committee are ‘in it’ for the right reason. Hockey Fights MS is a perfect example and model for what sports travel tourism can be about, and Discover Lehigh Valley Sports will continue to support Candice Arnold and Hockey Fights MS for years to come.”

Hockey Fights MS is currently looking for event volunteers and both individual and business sponsorship donations.  For more information, contact Candice Arnold, Hockey Fights MS, at 484-560-1213 or info@HockeyFightsMS.org.

 

About Discover Lehigh Valley Sports

A division of Discover Lehigh Valley, Discover Lehigh Valley Sports represents the region in the national and international sports marketplace. It has been bringing sporting events to the area for more than six years and serves as the primary resource for procuring and planning sporting events in Lehigh Valley. Discover Lehigh Valley Sports is a nonprofit organization funded by public and private grants, individual donations and corporate sponsorships.  For more information, visit www.DiscoverLehighValleySports.com. ###

 

Media Contacts:

Candice Arnold, Hockey Fights MS

484-560-1213 or info@HockeyFightsMS.org

 

Kaitie Burger, Discover Lehigh Valley

610-882-9200 or kaitie@DiscoverLehighValley.com