Charity on Ice returns this weekend
By Chris Edmonds
Independent Sports Editor

It was the product of a momentary brainstorm at the very height of her playing career. In Salt Lake City

for the 2002 Winter Olympics, hockey player AJ Mleczko found herself thinking of Nantucket and how she might give back to the island through hockey.

The result, which came to fruition several months later, was the first AJ Mleczko Charity on Ice game at Nantucket Ice. This weekend, Mleczko and friends will play for the fourth consecutive year in the celeb-heavy event. And while the present incarnation may run smoothly, such was not the case in the early going forMleczko and her mother, Bambi.

"We went into it very naively," said Mleczko from Boston last week. "We had no idea how much went into it. There were so many details that we hadn't thought of that we obviously knew were there, but that we took for granted."

Those sundry details, such as organizing the auction, coordinating transportation for guests and printing tickets, have long been sorted out, thanks to a committed group of volunteers, said Mleczko.

"We've had so many people help us," said Mleczko.

Before rising through the women's hockey ranks, including her time with the Olympic team and collegiate play at Harvard, Mleczko was an islander. Born on Nantucket, she and her family relocated to New Canaan, Conn. shortly thereafter.

It was in New Canaan that Mleczko first tried skating, albeit initially on figure skates. At age five, Mleczko decided that toe loops and lutzes were not for her and opted instead for hockey. Her father being a coach and her family being imbued in the sport, the fit appeared perfect. Judging by subsequent achievements of Olympic gold and silver medals, an NCAA national title and an NCAA single-season scoring record, the fit was perfect.

When word spread that Nantucket Ice would open in July 2002, Mleczko sensed an opportunity to give back to her native community in a way that incorporated her passion for hockey. Proceeds from Charity on Ice are used to payoff the initial building costs incurred by Nantucket Ice.

"Growing up with hockey as such a huge part of my life, it's great to see that opportunity offered to Nantucketers as well," she said. "This event, which has become the rink's primary fundraising effort, is something we're very proud of."

Nantucket Ice executive director Lynn Fiedler estimated that less than 10 percent of building costs remain to be paid off, but that the benefit of Charity on Ice remains immeasurable both to the rink and to the island's skaters.

"The rink needs this type of fundraising event to survive," said Fiedler, also a member of the fundraisers' 12-member Steering Committee. "We appreciate AJ's willingness to help us keep this going."

Although the summer may seem an odd season for hockey, Fiedler said that the rink's two summer leagues had waiting lists this year and that the camps offered during the summer months have been equally well received. On account of such factors, Fiedler expects Charity on Ice once again to be a major draw.

"We think it's going to be a huge draw for people," said Fiedler. "There are a lot of people interested in hockey here in the summer."

The pre-existing interest is only heightened when Mleczko's celebrity friends arrive on Nantucket's shores. From NHL past and present players to individuals in the media, to once and future Olympians, Charity on Ice attracts a variety of individuals with the same conjoined goals of playing hockey and positively affecting Nantucket.

"We have a lot of hockey players, for obvious reasons, but we try to mix it up with other celebrities as well," said Mleczko.

And, as Mleczko said, bringing guests to the Grey Lady in July is hardly the most taxing of her various tasks in staging the event.

"The celebrities that we bring are so generous with their time, but we've learned that we're giving them something in return," she said. "We give them great accommodations; we take them fishing with my dad; and we have the golf club to help out as well."

Even on an island inundated with high profile individuals, it is certain that more than a few locals will be onthe lookout for the likes of Bruins legend Ray Bourque and Miracle on Ice goalkeeper Jim Craig.

The celebrity hockey game starts at 4 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Children under the age of three get infor free.

Charity on Ice

Celebrity Roster

OLYMPIANS: Laurie (Baker) Mutch, 1998 and 2002; Colleen Coyne, 1998; JimCraig, 1980; Katie King, 1998 and 2002 (training for 2006); Tara Mounsey, 1998 and 2002; Dave Silk, 1980.

NHL PLAYERS: Ray Bourque, Andy Brickley, Lyndon Byers, Bobby Carpenter; Ted Donato; Gordon Gund III (former San Jose Sharks owner); Ken Hodge; Gord Kluzak; Dan LaCouture; Max Lane (former New England Patriot); Reggie Lemelin; Shawn McEachern; Tom Poti; Bob Sweeney; Don Sweeney; Scott Young.

MEDIA: Bobby Farrelly, movie producer and director; Michael Felger, Boston Herald columnist; Greg Hill, WAAF radio personality; Natalie Jacobson, Channel 5 News; Bob Lobel, WBZ-4 Sports; John Shea, actor; Sara Underwood, WBZ-4 News.