NHLPA, UNITED HEROES LEAGUE RELEASE 
BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT ALL-STAR HERO EXPERIENCE

…Video shows experiences of four military heroes and their children, including meeting some of their favourite NHL players

TORONTO/HASTINGS, Minn. (March 5, 2019) – The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) and the United Heroes League (UHL) published to NHLPA.com today a video highlighting the behind-the-scenes experiences of the All-Star Hero campaign winners at the 2019 Honda NHL® All-Star Weekend.

The campaign recognized four military personnel and their families for their services through the players’ NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund: Sergeant Richard Silva, Lieutenant Colonel Darrin J. Janisch, Sergeant Michael Brewer and Master Corporal Stephen Giza.

Each of the winners and their guests received air travel to and accommodations in San Jose, where they met and interacted with many players in the NHLPA All-Star Lounge, as well as attended NHL All-Star Skills and the NHL All-Star Game.

“The support that the players have for the military, the support they have for their country, they have just been absolutely fantastic,” MCpl. Stephen Giza spoke to his weekend experience.

“We’re eating our breakfast and they’re interrupting us to talk to us. Just taking that time to come down and talk with us and give us that opportunity to interact with them, it just really shows you how much they really care for the military and servicemen and women that do what they do.”

The service members were unaware of their nominations until they were notified that they were headed to San Jose, with NHLPA members and UHL player ambassadors Brent Burns, Jake Gardiner, Matt Hendricks, and Vinni Lettieri delivering the news.

“I was told I had to do this conference call with my son. Really didn’t expect to get a call like that to say we were being invited to come out to the All-Star Game… It’s beyond a dream come true. I can’t even, I still can’t describe it,” said Sgt. Michael Brewer.

The experience of these heroes was tracked through #YourAllStarHero across social media platforms, including @NHLPA on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

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About the National Hockey League Players’ Association

The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), established in 1967, is a labour organization whose members are the players in the National Hockey League (NHL). The NHLPA works on behalf of the players in varied disciplines such as labour relations, product licensing, marketing, international hockey and community relations, all in furtherance of its efforts to promote its members and the game of hockey. In 1999, NHLPA Goals & Dreams was launched as a way for the players to give something back to the game they love. Over the past 19 years, more than 80,000 deserving children in 34 countries have benefited from the players' donations of hockey equipment. NHLPA Goals & Dreams has donated more than $24 million to grassroots hockey programs, making it the largest program of its kind. For more information on the NHLPA, please visit www.nhlpa.com.   

About United Heroes League

United Heroes League is a 501(c)(3) national non-profit based in Hastings, Minnesota.  The charity assists families of all branches of the military by providing free sports equipment, free camps, financial grants to pay for registration fees, and pro sports tickets so the entire family can enjoy a night out at the game. Follow United Heroes League on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

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