To honor American troops, the Avalanche will give the camouflage jerseys off their backs in a special “Military Appreciation Night” on Feb. 10 when they play the Carolina Hurricanes.
Avs players will wear specially designed camouflage jerseys, with the Avalanche logo on them, during the warm-up before the game with Carolina. After the warm-up, the jerseys will be auctioned off through Feb. 24 on . Proceeds will benefit Kroenke Sports Charities, which includes charities for the military.
The Avs Better Halves — wives and girlfriends of players — also will wear signed camouflage T-shirts that night, then auction them off in the concourse during the game.
“The Avalanche organization is proud to honor those who have served and continue to serve our country,” general manager Greg Sherman said.
The Avalanche will have a number of events surrounding “Military Appreciation Night,” which includes a special pregame ceremony featuring Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta of Fort Collins. The pregame ceremony will include each branch of the United States military.
The first 8,000 fans in attendance will receive a miniature USA flag. Pregame festivities will include bagpipers and drummers inside Pepsi Center, and there will be a re-enlistment ceremony during intermission.
The Avalanche youth skater that night will be 9-year-old Zachary Wilson of the Colorado Springs Amateur Hockey Association. Zach, whose parents are Air Force Reservists, was nominated by Defending the Blue Line, an organization that ensures that children of military members are afforded every opportunity to participate in the game of hockey ().
Twitter fan video promotion. As part of “Military Appreciation Night,” the Avalanche will have a special Twitter giveaway in which fans are encouraged to submit a 60- to 90-second video by tweeting to @avalanche along with the #AvsMilitaryNight hashtag or via e-mail at avalanche@pepsicenter.com. One fan will receive two tickets to the game as well as a team-signed Avalanche camouflage jersey. Further information about the promotion can be found at .
Adrian Dater: 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com
