Lawmakers Take Down Lobbyists for Sixth Straight Congressional Hockey Challenge Win
Reps. Tom Emmer and Mike Quigley lead Lawmakers to 4-2 win in annual charity game
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Lawmakers team relied on steady defense and all-star goaltending to close out a tight game in the 2024 Congressional Hockey Challenge, securing their sixth straight win over the Lobbyist team. The Congressional Hockey Challenge is an annual charity hockey game between lawmakers, administration officials, and staff versus lobbyists.
In a true bipartisan effort, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) and Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) teamed up to lead the Lawmakers squad to victory. The Lobbyists jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead thanks to an unassisted goal from Jeff Burton from the American Academy of Family Physicians. But it was Rep. Quigley launching a backhand top shelf that tied the game and sparked a hot streak for the Lawmakers squad.
After a 1-1 first period, the Lawmakers opened up the flood gates in the second thanks to three quick goals from Will Bensur, Press Secretary for Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Austin Yager, Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.), and Rob MacGregor, a Professional Staff Member on the Committee on Natural Resources.
A late power play goal from retired NHL defenseman and former Washington Capital, Karl Alzner, currently with Thundercat Technologies, made things tight until the end, but stand-up goaltending from Rob Wagener, Legislative Director for Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wis.), sealed the 4-2 win for the Lawmakers.
"It's an honor to lift the Championship Cup for the sixth straight year! But this game means so much more than what happens on the scoreboard,” said Tim Regan, Lawmakers captain and Congressional Hockey Challenge board member. "To come together, Republican and Democrat, Lawmaker and Lobbyist, and raise money to grow the game of hockey for communities that need it most — that is the ultimate honor."
"It was an absolute, hard-fought battle out there. We didn't get the result we wanted, but at the end of the day, the real winners are the charities we support," said Congressional Hockey Challenge Co-Founder and Lobbyist captain Nick Lewis. "Through this game, we're able to open doors and give people the chance to play the best sport in the world. That's a win the scoreboard can't show."
Since 2009, the game has raised nearly $1.5 million for charities including the Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club, USA Hockey Warriors Ice Hockey Program, and the Tampa Warriors Hockey Heals event. And new for 2024, a portion of the proceeds from this year’s game support the NHL Foundation U.S. and the creation of an innovative new grant specifically aimed at empowering young girls to engage with hockey. This new girls’ hockey grant is dedicated to ensuring that girls from all backgrounds have the chance to experience and participate in hockey.
Three Stars of the Game:
First Star: Rob MacGregor (Lawmakers)
Second Star: Jeff Burton (Lobbyists)
Third Star: Rob Wagener (Lawmakers)
Contact:
Kevin Coroneos
congressionalhockeychc@gmail.com
856-237-7050
About the Congressional Hockey Challenge
The Congressional Hockey Challenge is an annual ice hockey game for charity featuring federal lawmakers, congressional staff and administration officials from across the political spectrum against lobbyists representing a broad array of interests. The Congressional Hockey Challenge is committed to the advancement of the sport of ice hockey, ensuring that this incredible and dynamic sport is accessible to everyone who wants to play. Since 2009, the game has raised nearly $1.5 million for charities including the Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club in Washington, DC, Capital Beltway Warriors Hockey Program, USA Warriors Hockey, the Tampa Warriors annual “22 hours of Hockey” event, the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association, and new for 2024: the NHL Foundation.
Link to release: https://www.congressionalhockeychallenge.com/2024-chc-post-game
Photos for media: https://photos.app.goo.gl/nVxdqXWNLrw1RNrZ8
Photo credit: Visual Design Pro