Hockey Stars And Caesars Atlantic City Announce Exhibition Game In Atlantic City To Support Sandy Relief

NEW YORK and ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., Nov. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Hockey All-Stars Brad Richards and Scott Hartnell in partnership with Caesars Atlantic City today announced "Operation Hat Trick," a charity hockey game that will take place in Atlantic City, N.J. on Saturday, November 24 at 7pm at Historic Boardwalk Hall. All proceeds from the event will go directly to the Empire State Relief Fund, the New Jersey Hurricane Relief Fund and the American Red Cross, aiding New York and New Jersey families affect by Hurricane Sandy.  Tickets, which go on sale Friday, November 16 at 10am and are priced from $20 - $100, can be purchased at the Boardwalk Hall Box Office, ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations, or by calling 800-736-1420.  For more information about the event, visit www.facebook.com/atlanticcityheroes.

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"We are all overwhelmed by the damage and destruction caused to our area by Hurricane Sandy and as professional hockey players, we wanted to come together to help those who were victimized by the storm," said Brad Richards. "While we know the road to recovery is long, we hope a hockey game featuring some of the top players in our sport will help rally additional support for the three great organizations that are committed to helping rebuild our area."

Richards and Hartnell will each captain a team represented by several of their professional teammates as well as other notable legends from throughout the hockey world.

"The lives that have been touched by the devastation are people in our own communities and the communities of our fans," said Scott Hartnell.  "To have the opportunity to be able to raise money for the relief effort by participating in this game is an honor and we are asking fans of the tri-state area to assist in anyway they can to help the communities and people affected."

Joining Richards and Hartnell, either on the ice or in support of "Operation Hat Trick", include: Bobby Ryan, Kimmo Timonen, Braydon Coburn, James van Riemsdyk, Simon Gagne, Ville Leino, Daniel Carcillo, Steve Eminger, Jeff Halpern, Brian Boyle, Jody Shelley, John Carlson, Taylor Pyatt, Steve Downie, Wayne Simmonds  and James Neal.

"We are grateful that these athletes have come together to assist in our ongoing rebuilding efforts from Hurricane Sandy," said New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. "I'm hopeful that their efforts will be met with overwhelming support from those who are in a position to attend to help our recovery organizations."  

"A roster of this magnitude reads as though Atlantic City is hosting the American and International All-Star hockey game of the year – all to benefit those in our region affected by Hurricane Sandy," said Don Marrandino, Eastern Division President for Caesars Entertainment. "I applaud the efforts of difference-makers like Brad Richards and Scott Hartnell, and the rest of these hockey-world superstars, as well as our phenomenal partners like the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority, Boardwalk Hall and Reebok," said Marrandino.

"The National spotlight will be on Atlantic City next weekend, allowing the community to showcase what a diverse entertainment destination we are.  A key tactic in the strategy of revitalizing Atlantic City is offering events such as this at a time when it is most needed.  We as a business community benefit from the thousands of fans who will choose to visit our destination during that weekend and we look forward to a great event," continued Marrandino.

About the Organizers

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

The Empire State Relief Fund: Restore, Rebuild, Return

Our Mission: To provide funding, materials and services to help New Yorkers who are faced with rebuilding and restoring return to their homes and recover from the storm.

The Empire State Relief Fund is dedicated to providing resources to help recover from Hurricane Sandy and rebuild and restore homes. The challenges that New Yorkers face as a result of Hurricane Sandy are unlike any we have ever seen before. Thousands of New Yorkers saw their homes destroyed or irreparably damaged by Hurricane Sandy. Many more will face extensive, expensive repairs to make their homes habitable again. Some New Yorkers will receive a measure of assistance from private insurance, FEMA, and other government funding sources. However, in many cases, New Yorkers will face a substantial gap between the cost of repair or replacement of their home and the funds available to them to cover this cost. The Empire State Relief Fund will focus on long-term residential housing assistance to help fill the funding gap and ensure that New Yorkers can continue to call New York home.

For more information email [email protected]

The Hurricane Sandy NJ Relief Fund

Hurricane Sandy has brought unthinkable devastation to parts of our Garden State, destroying homes, businesses and some of New Jersey's most identifiable icons. The Governor and I have organized this relief fund to aid, comfort, and rebuild New Jersey. The images and stories of the damage are heartbreaking.

In the aftermath, I urge you to support our friends, neighbors and communities impacted by the storm. They need our help and need it quickly. Thank you for your generosity. We are strong and resilient.

We are proud New Jerseyans.

—First Lady Mary Pat Christie

Caesars Atlantic City sets the standard for excitement and luxury, having been awarded the 2011 AAA Four Diamond Lodging designation.  The Roman inspired hotel and casino reigns at the center of the Atlantic City Boardwalk, featuring more than 1,100 hotel guest rooms and suites, eight diverse cafes and restaurants, including Mia by Chris Scarduzio, Atlantic Grill, and Morton's Steakhouse, Qua Baths & Spa, and a lavish 140,000 square foot casino. The 1,600 seat Circus Maximus Theater spotlights leading entertainers such as Jerry Seinfeld, Mary J. Blige, and Tony Bennett. The Pier Shops at Caesars deliver the pinnacle of designer boutiques, chic eateries and abundant entertainment in a $175 million oceanfront complex. Caesars is located at 2100 Pacific Avenue in Atlantic City, New Jersey. For more information, call 1-800-223-7277 or visit caesarsac.com.

Historic Boardwalk Hall, which first opened in 1929, underwent a three year, $90 million renovation to transform the building into a modern special events arena capable of variable seating for up to 14,770 people. Listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks, Boardwalk Hall's renovation produced a glimpse into the dramatic and original Roman Renaissance style, while providing a 21st century experience in terms of comfort and amenities. Upon its reopening in 2001, it has been recognized as the destination's premier entertainment venue, known for high profile concerts, family shows, and sporting events.  SMG manages Boardwalk Hall on behalf of its client, the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority.  Visit us at www.boardwalkhall.com for more information. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/boardwalkhall and follow us on Twitter @boardwalkhall.  For destination information about Atlantic City, please visit www.doatlanticcity.com.

The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority serves as the destination's principal marketing arm, stimulating economic growth through convention, business and leisure tourism development.  The Authority oversees the management of the Atlantic City Convention Center and Boardwalk Hall. The Authority is the first destination marketing organization in New Jersey to achieve prestigious Destination Marketing Accreditation by the Destination Marketing Association International.  For complete Atlantic City information, visit www.doatlanticcity.com. Also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AtlanticCityNJ.

SOURCE Caesars Atlantic City