Local surfers will trade wet suits for ice skates this Sunday for a charity hockey game, and it won't be in some beer league; it will be against former Boston Bruins players.
Players will take the ice at The Rinks At Exeter, N.H. for an event aptly titled Boston Bruins Alumni vs. The Surfers.
The event will raise money for the Molly Fund in memory of Molly Rowlee, a 5-year-old Hampton, N.H. resident who lost a five-month battle with lymphoma last summer. The Molly Fund helps other families with children battling cancer.
Molly's father, Buck Rowlee, is a surfer and was approached by Bruins legend Ken Linesman (1984-1990), who is also an avid surfer. Linesman suggested organizing a hockey game to raise money for the Molly Fund.
Close to 100 people have volunteered to help at the game, which Rowlee hopes will raise $30,000.
"It's just amazing how so many people will come together to help families," Rowlee said.
The proceeds will help families pay for necessities that can be hard for those with sick children to scrounge up — everything from food to gasoline.
"Even with awesome insurance, you're still getting hammered," Rowlee said.
Though inexperienced in hockey, the father will grab a stick to help the cause.
"All the surfers grew up playing hockey with the exception of me. I grew up playing soccer," he said.
Andover's Kevin MacKinnon, 38, will play center for The Surfers. MacKinnon started playing when he was 3 and he now coaches his son Cole's team, the Andover Youth Hockey Mite 2.
"I get to play all those guys I used to watch when I was a kid. I'm looking forward to it," he said.
"Kenny Linesman was very adamant about telling us the Bruins still have an ego," Rowlee said. "These guys are ex-NHL players and they're genetic freaks."
MacKinnon isn't displaying much pre-game egotism.
"I think if the Bruins want to win, they will. I've had occasion to play against a couple of them once in a while, and they still have it," he said.
There will be raffles and a silent auction. One of the prizes will be an autographed snowboard that bronze medal Olympian Scotty Lago used in the X Games.
Admission costs $10 for adults, and children get in for free. People can buy tickets at the door. The game starts at 4 p.m. Bruins alumni will sign autographs.
The Rowlees were engulfed in support the moment Molly was diagnosed with cancer, Rowlee said. People donated to them and continue to raise money and plan events for the Molly Fund to help other families.
"You catch yourself saying 'thank you' so much and I wish there was a way we could express how truly thankful we are," Rowlee said. "Knowing that we're able to do some really wonderful things with the Molly Foundation has truly helped with the healing process."
About the game
Bruins alumni in the game
Rick Middleton, Reggie Lemelin, Bob Miller, Bob Sweeney, Frank Simonetti, Gary Doak, John Carter, Bruce Crowder, Bruce Shoebottom and Gary Larose
Local surfers in the game
Kevin MacKinnon of Andover, Tommy Ciolfi of North Andover, Johnny Reynolds of Salisbury and Steve Sofronas of Newburyport
More information: mollyrowlee.com
