The outdoor game, the second-ever in USPHL history, begins at 5:00 PM Central and pits the Chicago Cougars against fellow USPHL Elite Midwest powerhouse Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings. The festivities will feature a silent auction and other events to raise money for former Cougars defenseman Matt Olson, who was seriously injured during a game last season.
“We are very excited and grateful to host the USPHL Heritage Classic this year,” said Cougars head coach Brad Stoffers. “It means a lot to have our team and the city of Chicago be a part of this, and we know it is an experience that the players and teams involved will never forget.”
The Chicago Cougars are in their second year of operation and sent seven players to collegiate or minor-pro hockey. Head coach Brad Stoffers was a finalist for USPHL Midwest Coach of the Year. Andrew vanDyke, a returning player from last year’s squad, leads the team with 12 goals, 16 assists, and 28 total points.
Their opponents, the Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings, were founded in 2013 and joined the USPHL in 2015 upon the inception of the Midwest Division. The Riverkings, coached by Marty Quarters, currently lead the USPHL Elite Midwest Division with an 18-3 record.
“The players are very excited about this event,” noted Quarters. “Outdoor hockey has really taken on a life of its own and this is the first time anyone on the team has had the opportunity to play in one of these events.
“The [Cougars and Riverkings] have a very healthy rivalry,” continued Quarters. “We all have a common goal and feed off of each other. The two teams have a lot of respect for each other, but the games are always very competitive.”
Both teams have histories of off-ice community involvement that match their on-ice success. Last season, the Cougars hosted a pair of charity hockey games with the Chicago Hornets sled hockey team, which saw the Cougars trade their skates for sleds, and the Chicago Blackhawks Wounded Warriors team, comprised of armed forces veterans wounded in combat. Similarly, the Riverkings participate in a mentorship program with the Ho-Chunk Nation as well as working extensively with the United Way and the Salvation Army.
For more information, please visit USPHL.com/HeritageClassic.
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