Lobbyists will face off against members of Congress at the yearly Congressional Hockey Challenge outside Washington on Thursday.
According to organizers, the “friendly but fast-paced and competitive ice hockey game pits federal lawmakers, congressional staff and administration officials from across the political spectrum against lobbyists representing a broad array of interests.”
Minnesota Republican Rep. Erik Paulsen, Minnesota Republican Rep. Tom Emmer, Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Pat Meehan and Indiana Republican Rep. Larry Bucshon are listed on the lawmaker roster.
The lobbyist roster includes the Associated General Contractors, the American Gas Association, Ford Motor Company, UPS and the Coca-Cola Company.
NHL celebrities and executives — including Hall of Famer Pat Lafontaine and former NHL goalie and hockey analyst Kevin Weekes — are expected to travel to Washington for the event.
The purpose of the Congressional Hockey Challenge is to ensure that anyone who wants to play the sport can have access to it, organizers said.
Every year, three programs are selected to benefit from the money raised. This year, Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club in Washington, the NHL Scholarship of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and USA Warriors Hockey will divide the charitable earnings.
The non-profit organization has raised over $850,000 since 2009 and is expected to reach one million by the end of 2017.
The challenge is taking place at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Va.
