Tim Smith

Hometownlife.com

Saturday’s Star Wars Night at USA Hockey Arena was a smash on and off the ice, according to fans of all ages who came out to the event.

More than 2,000 fans attended the United States Hockey League contest between the National Team Development Program Under-18 team and Green Bay Gamblers. The U18s — wearing specially designed Star Wars uniforms — won 3-2 behind a two-goal game by Kieffer Bellows (see related article).

And although the hockey action was fun, some of the younger set were more than happy to just spend time with many Star Wars characters who were dressed to the nines thanks to international, Internet-based sister costuming outfits called the 501st Legion (villains) and Rebel Legion (heroes).

“My little guy’s a big fan of Star Wars, so it seemed like fun stuff,” said Canton’s Doug Nelson, on hand with his wife (Julie), son (Matthew, 5) and daughter (Sarah, 9). “We came with another family, a kid in the same class as him is also a big Star Wars fan.

“They didn’t notice the uniforms as much but they loved the characters, that’s where they just came from, trying to see some of the characters.”

Family fun

According to Julie Nelson, it was a perfect night for many reasons.

“I thought it was a great event,” she said. “The hockey game was a lot of fun, we had good seats, the kids really enjoyed seeing the characters.

“There were a lot more characters than I even expected would be here tonight. So it was a great family night.”

Also enjoying the event was Ann Arbor’s Deanna Boehm and her kids, who were waving colorful lightsabers purchased for $5 as part of a fundraiser for C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. U18 player jerseys and socks, all featuring Imperial Stormtroopers and the NTDP logo, are to be auctioned off beginning Thursday via the NHL Auctions webpage (auctions.nhl.com).

Funds generated through the auction will be funnelled to C.S. Mott.

“It is wonderful, with all the Star Wars characters, they really did a great job for the kids,” said Boehm, adding that 6-year-old son Alex’ favorite character is Kylo Ren.

Jon Leopold, of the 501st Legion, said the feedback from young and old fans was outstanding, as it typically is at all of the arena events his group participates at.

“The kids love it, seeing all the different characters,” Leopold said. “We got a game here today where they can shoot Nerf darts at stormtroopers or different targets.”

Working in tandem

Saturday was the fifth Star Wars event put on by USA Hockey (which moved before this season from the Ann Arbor Ice Cube), and the third with players wearing themed jerseys. Each year, the event has been a fundraiser for the hospital.

“A friend of our organization did (the jersey design),” Leopold continued. “The bad guys are from the 501st Legion, and the good guys are represented by the Rebel Legion.

“We’re sister costuming groups, we work hand in hand together doing lots of charity events. It’s off the Internet, we have people from all over the state that are here.”

Massive popularity from the December movie release also doesn’t hurt, he conceded.

“Absolutely, we got a couple characters from the movie here today, Kylo Ren and the First Order stormtrooper,” Leopold emphasized. “You see a lot of kids, and adults, wearing t-shirts.”

For more information about the Michigan chapter of the 501st Legion, Leopold suggested going to greatlakesgarrison.com.

tsmith@hometownlife.com

Twitter: @TimSmith_Sports

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