NHL vs. Russia in Legends Classic Charity Hockey Game

Devils alumni and friends will face off against a team of former Russian All-Stars in a charity hockey game on Wednesday.

Devils Arena Entertainment announced Tuesday that the inaugural Legends Classic: Team NHL versus Team Russia is scheduled for Wednesday, March 5, at 7 p.m. at the Prudential Center. 

All proceeds from the game will benefit Devils Care and Monroe Township High School hockey player Mikey Nichols, who suffered a broken neck during a game earlier this year.  

The Devils, along with the hockey community at large, has rallied around Nichols, a high school senior, since fracturing his C-5 vertebrae on January 4. Support on social media through the hashtag #PrayForMikey has been used by players and executives around the league including Devils alumni and 3-time Stanley Cup Champion Ken Daneyko.  

Nichols and his family will be honored during the Devils game versus Detroit and given a donation on behalf of the Legends Classic. There will also be a silent auction with signed memorabilia from stars of the game, with proceeds going to the young Monroe high school player.

“We are proud to host an incredible exhibition game for such an extraordinary cause,” said Devils Arena Entertainment President Hugh Weber. “Mikey and his family are an inspiration for us all. We are grateful for this opportunity, and give thanks to Alex Medvedev and his team for their contribution to this cause that is close to our hearts.”

The home team roster features a number of New Jersey Devils greats including Daneyko, Bruce Driver, Grant Marshall, Jim Dowd, Sergei Brylin, Colin White, Jay Pandolfo, Johan Hedberg, Bobby Carpenter and his daughter Alex, 2014 Olympic Silver Medalist. Additional hockey legends will include MSG Network commentator and former New York Ranger Ron Duguay along with Brian Propp, Jaroslav Modry, Sergei Starikov and Mark Janssens. They will be playing against a squad led by Alexander Medvedev, General Director of Gazprom Exports, and a host of Russian All-Stars including Alexey Yashin, Dmitry Subbotin, Andrey Malkov, Vladimir Torzhkov and head coach Sergey Makarov.

They will be playing against a squad led by Alexander Medvedev, general director of Gazprom Exports, and a host of Russian All-Stars including Alexey Yashin, Dmitry Subbotin, Andrey Malkov, Vladimir Torzhkov and head coach Sergey Makarov.

These teams are coming together again in 2014 after a previously successful benefit game. In April 2013, the North American All-Stars faced off against the Russian All-Stars in the Global Hockey Legends game at the Rock. Over $50,000 was raised to benefit a number of programs related to Hurricane Sandy relief. The Russians held on for a 7-6 victory, after the North American team came back from a 6-2 third-period deficit.

Tickets to this exclusive exhibition are available, free of charge, to Devils season ticket holders and Prudential Center Platinum Seating and suite holders. Additional details and rosters for the Legends Classic will be updated on newjerseydevils.com.