(Monday, January 28, 2008) Hockey Ministries International staged its' 2008 All-Star Breakfast on Sunday morning, January 27 at the Grand Ballroom of the National Hockey League's host hotel, the Hilton Atlanta. The event featured a distinguished group of guests from the hockey and sports world.
Headlining the star-studded group of breakfast participants was two-time NHL All-Star and former Stanley Cup winner from the Carolina Hurricanes, Eric Staal. The morning's featured speaker was former NHL defenseman with the Minnesota North Stars, Bill Butters. Other special guests who participated in the breakfast included two former NHL players with the Atlanta Flames who came back to the town where they starred 30 years earlier.
Fiery goalie Dan Bouchard and 50-goal scorer Jean Pronovost reminisced about their days with the Flames when they were the NHL's southern-most team. Other notable guests at the dais included the wife of former NHL defenseman Ed Kea, Jennifer Kea, wife of Jean Pronovost, Diane Pronovost, Minnesota Wild owner, Bob Naegele Jr., former NHL stars Laurie Boschman and Mark Osborne, Hockey Ministries International Founder and President, Don Liesemer Sr., and HMI's Director of Chapel Programs, Don Liesemer Jr.
Other hockey and sports figures who were recognized in the audience included Ottawa Senators and Eastern Conference All-Star Head Coach, John Paddock, Commissioner of the Premier "AA" professional hockey league, the ECHL, Brian McKenna, the parents of the late Atlanta Thrashers' player, Dan Snyder, Graham and LuAnn Snyder, Eric Staal's wife, Tanya, and parents, Mr. & Mrs. Henry Staal, former Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman, David Scott, and former Major League Baseball All-Star with the Montreal Expos, New York Mets and New York Yankees, Tim Burke.
Don Liesemer Jr. served as the event's Master of Ceremonies, and opened the morning by introducing Dan Bouchard. Bouchard welcomed everyone to the 2008 HMI All-Star Breakfast and offered personal greetings. Jean Pronovost and his wife Diane each took turns at the microphone as they shared about coming to faith in Jesus Christ while with the Atlanta Flames in the late 70's. Flames defenseman Ed Kea and his wife, Jennifer, had a major spiritual impact on the Pronovosts during their time in Atlanta, as well as many other players. Diane also blessed the crowd by singing a lovely hymn near the close of the morning.
A touching moment took place when Jennifer Kea was presented with a special acknowledgement in memory of her late husband Ed, who passed away in 1999. The Keas were pioneers in sharing their faith in Jesus Christ to the hockey world, and were active with HMI during Ed's hockey career. Bob Naegele Jr. who has been a powerful witness for Christ in hockey, praised God for guiding his family when they brought hockey back to Minnesota in 1998, and also in the recent sale of the team to Craig Leopold the week before the breakfast.
Laurie Boschman followed with a ten-minute interview with All-Star Eric Staal. Eric described his pre-game rituals, the thrill of winning the Stanley Cup, what it was like to play against two brothers who are also in the NHL, and how his faith in God impacts his life. Staal also talked about the benefits of attending chapels regularly with the Carolina Hurricanes, and credited HMI and chaplain Les Burleson for providing a spiritual outlet for him and his teammates. Later that night in the NHL's All-Star game, Staal would score two goals and add an assist to be named the Classic's MVP as the Eastern Conference All-Stars edged the Western Conference All-Stars 8-7.
Bill Butters, as the morning's featured speaker, talked about his relationship with Jesus Christ, and how it helped him overcome a rough childhood and numerous disappointments in life. While attending an HMI Christian International Hockey Camp in Minnesota in 1980, the rugged defenseman heard and accepted the truth of the Gospel message. He shared with the audience that after accepting the love of Jesus Christ, he experienced a joy and peace that he had never known. Jesus remarkably changed his life. At the close of his testimony, Bill challenged those in the audience to consider the claims of Christ. After Diane Pronovost's solo, Tim Burke closed the morning with prayer.
HMI will now look forward to the 2009 HMI - NHL All-Star Breakfast which will take place in the hockey crazed city of Montreal next January. Please contact HMI to be put on a list to be the first ones to receive information regarding the 2009 event in Montreal.
Hockey Ministries International is Christian ministry that serves the spiritual needs at all levels of hockey by annually coordinating team chapels, staging youth camps, and holding numerous special events. HMI is a federally registered, non-profit organization in the United States and Canada, and is a member in good standing of the Canadian Council of Christian Churches.
Each week Hockey Ministries International will salute a "Chaplain of the Week" in order to acknowledge our chaplains who volunteer their time and resources to serve the hockey world.
Currently HMI has over 200 volunteer chaplains who are staging chapel programs in 22 professional and amateur leagues across North America and Europe.
Jordan May is the first-season chaplain of the ECHL's Trenton Devils in Trenton, New Jersey. Jordan is currently pursuing his MDiv senior at Princeton Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey. He is an ordained minister in the Assemblies of God. Jordan is originally from Texas, but now is living in New Jersey as he works towards his theological degree. He has ministered in Texas, North Carolina, Florida, and New Jersey. In addition to studying at seminary, Jordan loves to read, write, and study God's word.
Hockey Ministries International does have some current openings for chaplains in certain cities, towns and communities. If you are interested in serving as an HMI chaplain or know someone who would be interested, please e-mail Don Liesemer Jr. at donjr@hockeyministries.org. Let us know where you live, and we will let you know if we have a need in your area.
(January 21, 2008) Hockey Ministries International will stage its’ 2008 annual All-Star Breakfast, in conjunction with the National Hockey League All-Star Game, this Sunday, January 27 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the Hilton Atlanta. The breakfast will feature in attendance a host of current and former NHL players and coaches, as well as select 2008 NHL All-Star players. Only six days left until the breakfast.
Hockey Ministries International is Christian ministry that serves the spiritual needs at all levels of hockey by annually coordinating team chapels, staging youth camps, and holding numerous special events. HMI is a federally registered, non-profit organization in the United States and Canada, and is a member in good standing of the Canadian Council of Christian Churches.
Leading this year’s attendees will be 2008 Eastern Conference All-Star and former Stanley Cup winner with the Carolina Hurricanes, Eric Staal. The two-time NHL All-Star will be interviewed at the event from the dais. Staal helped the Carolina Hurricanes win their first-ever Stanley Cup in 2006 with a 100 point campaign in 2005-06. Staal was the Hurricanes first round pick and the second pick overall in the NHL’s 2003 entry draft.
The featured speaker for the All-Star breakfast will be former NHL Minnesota North Stars defenseman, Bill Butters. The former University of Minnesota Golden Gopher played his college hockey under legendary coach Herb Brooks. Originally signed by the Toronto Maple Leafs, Butters played professionally for the North Stars and the WHA’s Minnesota Fighting Saints.
“We look forward to a great morning on Sunday, January 27 in Atlanta.” states Hockey Ministries International President and Founder, Don Liesemer Sr. “HMI has staged our All-Star breakfast at many NHL All-Star games in the past including Dallas last year, and we greatly appreciate the wonderful cooperation we have received from the National Hockey League each year we have showcased our event. We have a very distinguished group of speakers and guests this year, and those that attend will be in for a challenging and uplifting morning at the breakfast.”
Two former NHL players who will also attend the breakfast will return to the city where they once played during Atlanta’s first run with an NHL team They include two former Atlanta Flames’ stars, fiery goalie, Dan Bouchard, and 50-goal scorer and forward, Jean Pronovost. Additional former NHL stars that will be present at the breakfast include Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers forward Mark Osborne, and Toronto Maple leafs, Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators forward, Laurie Boschman.
Other notables taking part in the breakfast include Robert Naegele Jr., owner of the Minnesota Wild, Mr. & Mrs. Graham Snyder, parents of former and late Atlanta Thrashers player, Dan Snyder, and former Major League Baseball pitcher with the New York Mets, Montreal Expos and New York Yankees, Tim Burke.
Tickets to the breakfast are $35.00 with a table of ten selling for $350.00. Tickets must be purchased in advanced, and may be secured online using a credit card at the Hockey Ministries International website at www.hockeyministries.org. In the Atlanta area tickets may be purchased in person or by mail by contacting Cornerstone Bible Church, 869 Cole Road, Lilburn, Georgia. Phone: (770) 715-3919. For additional information, contact Hockey Ministries International at (514) 395-1717 or e-mail at garyc@hockeyministries.org, ext. 227. There will be no ticket sales at the door.
(Tuesday, January 14, 2008) Each week Hockey Ministries International will salute a "Chaplain of the Week" in order to acknowledge our chaplains who volunteer their time and resources to serve the hockey world.
Currently HMI has over 200 volunteer chaplains who are staging chapel programs in 22 professional and amateur leagues across North America and Europe.
Philipp Meinecke, along with Dwight Watson, serves as an HMI chaplain for the ECHL's Las Vegas Wranglers. Philipp was born and raised in Germany, and is currently involved in a church-planting effort in SW Las Vegas. He has been married to his lovely wife Carrington for a little over two years, and the couple is expecting their first child in May of 2008.
A guiding Scripture in Philipp's life has been Jeremiah 29:11-13 as it speaks about a God who has a script for our lives which, though it may vary from day-to-day, remains in His hands throughout our days on this earth and beyond. "For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 'You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." Philipp also loves history, the arts, and creativity.
Hockey Ministries International does have some current openings for chaplains in certain cities, towns and communities. If you are interested in serving as an HMI chaplain or know someone who would be interested, please e-mail Don Liesemer Jr. at donjr@hockeyministries.org. Let us know where you live, and we will let you know if we have a need in your area.
(January 1, 2008 -Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Hockey Ministries International is pleased to announce its' Christian Athletes Hockey Camp schedule for 2008. The announcement is made by Camp Coordinator, Christy Liesemer.
This year Hockey Ministries International will be staging 31 weeks of youth camps in eight countries around the globe including Canada, the United States, Sweden, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Switzerland.
Christian Hockey Camps International feature high quality hockey instruction and practical training in Christian living as signature components at each and every camp. This curriculum proves to be a winning combination in preparing young athletes for challenges, both on and off the ice. Each day at camp, the devotional introduces the "game plan" for the day - a theme from the Hockey Player's Handbook. This theme is followed in the daily Christian value discussion when counselors meet with their groups and discuss a number of topics related to life's inevitable challenges. Finally, the evening chapel features a youth-oriented program of music, skits and inspirational talks by the pros.
Hockey skills from seven countries highlight the on-ice instruction which includes power skating, individual skills, team skills and special direction for goaltenders. Other activities include dry land training, sports and recreation, and Christian training, all staged in a friendly and nurturing environment.
For a complete list of 2008 camp locations, and registration information, click on the "Camps" link on the homepage of the HMI website. For additional information contact Hockey Ministries International through e-Mail at : camps@hockeyministries.org, by phone at (514) 395-1717 or by fax at (514) 394-9449.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box #7, Windsor Station, Suite 265, 1100 de la Gauchetiere W., Montreal, Quebec H3B 2S2