SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) -- The Springfield Thunderbirds are gearing up for a fundraising event that no hockey fan will want to miss. The team is partnering with the Center for Human Development, and their youth and adult sled hockey teams, to host the Cammer Cup; a triple-header of fun, philanthropy, and a display of impressive upper body strength.

Western Mass News spoke with Ryan Kincade, the Outreach Coordinator CHD’s All In: Barrier-free Recreation Program and Captain of Springfield Thunderbirds Sled Hockey Team, who tells us, “So when you get down to sled hockey, your upper body is being used fully. So if you’re not used to using your upper body, it can be a little bit of a workout. But once you train in it and become familiar with it, it really becomes just the sport of passion.”

On April 4th, the Thunderdome will host three hockey games. The day will kick off with a local celebrity game, with some of western Mass’s. finest participating. That will be followed by the travel team playing, then the night will close out with the Tbirds taking on the Syracuse Crunch. Kincade goes on to explain, “So, we don’t have the full list right now as who’s going to be on the ice. But it’s definitely going to be Nate Costa and a couple of state reps.”

Tbirds President Nathan Costa participates in the Cammer Cup every year and tells Western Mass News that he’s been looking forward to working with a program like this since his days working in San Antonio, “I play every year. It’s a great opportunity for me to get out there and to support the program at the end of the day...CHD’s been a great partner of ours over the year. And, you know, they had some challenges with the program that they were putting on when we first got started here.”

A portion of the ticket sales will benefit CHD’s all in youth and adult sled hockey teams and help pay for ice time, purchase and maintain equipment, and offset travel costs for away games.

Be sure to pay them a visit in downtown Springfield next Saturday and give them a donation if you’re able.

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