PARK CITY — It may not have been the biggest sporting event Sunday or the one watched by the most people. But in the overall picture, it may have been the most important game.

Instead of the Frozen Tundra, in Park City Sunday it was Hollywood vs. some of the National Hockey League's all-time best on the frozen pond.

Former NHL star, future Hall of Famer and part-time Summit County resident Luc Robitaille hosted his first annual Celebrity Shoot Out at the Park City Ice Arena to raise money for "Echoes of Hope," a nonprofit organization he and his wife, Stacia, founded to help at-risk foster and emancipated foster kids.

"What better place to do it than in this brand new arena? With the film festival being at the same time we knew we'd get the right crowd here," Robitaille said. "It's been a lot of fun. ... The guys are having fun. It's been a success."

Before the game, Park City Mayor Dana Williams gave a Jimi Hendrix rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" on his electric guitar.

Some former NHL stars, such as Robitaille, Tony Amonte and women's hockey Team USA players Cammi Granato and Natalie Darwitz, looked like they could still play professionally. It was also a thrill for fans to see Hockey Hall of Fame members Larry Murphy and Marcel Dionne, the fourth highest scorer in NHL history.

"Luc has always had a passion for a lot of things in his life. Nice to see a nice turnout with celebrities come out and some fans, and we're all here to do a good cause," Dionne said. "All of us have been pretty blessed so anything we can give back to society, I'm all for it."

Murphy said any time there's an event that benefits children, he wants to be a part of it. The big defenseman and former Detroit Red Wing is currently working with Fox Sports Detroit to broadcast Wings games. He was asked if he got any advice from current stick handling wizard Pavel Datsyuk for the celebrity skills competition.

"I've been watching him closely. I'm hoping some of that rubs off on me. Actually I have his stick with me. I'm hoping that'll be enough to give me that magic," he said jokingly.

For the Hollywood team, many of the actors used to play hockey competitively. Ryne Sanborn ("High School Musical"), whose introduction was greeted with high-pitched shrieks from the teen-age girls in the stands, said he's been playing since he was 7.

Taylor Kitsch, of "Friday Night Lights," is another actor who looked comfortable on the ice Sunday. He even had some fun pregame trash talk for former NHL tough man Marty McSorley.

"He's bigger than I thought. ... I'll have to do more stick work than actual body work," he said.

Michael Rosenbaum, of the TV show "Smallville," was the first player on the ice for warm-ups. "I've been playing hockey my whole life ... it's what I wanted to do. Then I got hurt and I became an actor," he said. "We're here to have fun, here to raise some money,"

Tom Arnold provided play-by-play for the event. Arnold walked into the arena wearing a New York Giant's jersey and tundra hat. He also had a little ribbing for Robitaille about the timing of the charity game coinciding with the championship game between the Giants and Packers.

"I'm very excited that Luc and Stacia scheduled the game, the hockey match, right in the middle of the Giants game, biggest maybe ever. But the charity is so important I passed up a trip to Lambo to be here," he said loud enough for Robitaille to hear. "I'm honored to be here. You have a TV here, right?"

Arnold, who is also in town for Sundance, said the festival has been good for both sides of the ongoing writer's strike to get together. He believes good progress has been made here and the strike is nearing an end.

"We were friends before and we're going to be friends again. We're not getting divorced. They need us, we need them. It's time to get people back to work," he said.

Source: DesertNews

First annual Luc Robitaille's Celebrity Shootout presented by D.I.S.C. Sports and Spine Center, in partnership with Sony Pictures Classics, National Hockey League, the L.A. Kings. The event benefits "Echoes of Hope" which strives to awaken the spirit of hope in the lives of at-risk, foster, and emancipated foster youth by providing the resources knowledge skills and support they need to reach their full potential. The charity was founded by Luc and Stacia Robitaille and is the sister charity of "Shelter for Serenity."

This year's participants will include NHL fan favorites and Hollywood's elite celebrity players. Scheduled to appear are players Luc Robitaille, Tony Amonte, Marc Bergevin, Marcel Dionne, Nelson Emerson, Marty McSorley, Larry Murphy, along with celebrities Cuba Gooding, Jr., Matthew Perry, Dave Annable (Brothers & Sisters), Rachel Blanchard (Clueless, Snakes on a Plane), Michael Rosenbaum (Smallville) with Tom Arnold serving as game announcer, to name a few.

Sunday, January 20th
Schedule of events
1:30 p.m. - NHL players arrive rink
2:30 p.m. - Celebrity participants arrive
3 p.m. - Game begins
3:45 p.m. - Skills competition - pros and celebrities
5:30 p.m. - Teams photos on ice

Park City Ice Arena
600 Gilmor Way
Park City, UT

$40 - General Admission (includes concession meal)
$75 - VIP Admission (includes meal & autographs)
$125 - Four tickets/$150 - Six tickets/$175 - Eight tickets
Tickets can be purchased at www.echoesofhope.org or at the Park City Rink

Aspen Technology Announces ''Energy on Ice'' -- an International Good Will Hockey Game to Benefit Youth Hockey and CharitiesBURLINGTON, Mass.MA-ASPEN-TECHNOLOGY

Aspen Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: AZPN), a leading provider of software and services to the process industries, today announced that it will host an international charity hockey game between an all-star team representing AspenTech and a group of all-stars from Russian Natural Gas exporter, Gazprom export. ?Energy on Ice? will be held at The Edge Sports Center in Bedford MA on Sunday December 2nd.

Seven of the game?s All-Stars are members of Stanley Cup winning teams, and the Hockey Hall of Fame has confirmed that the Stanley Cup will be delivered to the game and available for photo opportunities with fans, beginning at 3:00 pm. The All-Star game will begin at 5:30 pm.

In conjunction with Energy on Ice, AspenTech is providing funding to the USA Hockey Foundation to benefit youth hockey programs in eastern Massachusetts. The funding support will focus on expanding hockey opportunities for young players who need financial assistance. Gazprom export is also creating a similar foundation to support youth hockey programs in Russia. Fans will have a unique opportunity to get an up-close look at the Stanley Cup as it will be on display during Sunday?s game.

Gazprom export is the world?s largest supplier of natural gas. AspenTech is a leading provider of software solutions for the Energy market and other process industries.

?Energy on Ice is a unique opportunity to work with our Russian friends and business partners on a truly international sporting event, and it?s been wonderful to bring together Gazprom export, the local hockey community and our entire company on the project,? said Mark Fusco, president and CEO, AspenTech. ?For all of those who love the game of hockey and appreciate the opportunity to support youth sports programs and great charitable organizations, this is truly a special opportunity.?

Headlining the event for the AspenTech All-Stars are AspenTech CEO, former Hobey Baker Award winner, U.S. Olympian and member of the USA Hockey Hall of Fame, Mark Fusco; legendary Boston Bruin and member of the National Hockey League Hall of Fame, Ray Bourque; and Hollywood producer and film maker, Bobby Farrelly. Other all-stars rounding out the AspenTech team include former NHL, Olympic and college hockey stars Don Sweeney, Tony Amonte, Ted Donato, Bobby Carpenter, Bob Sweeney, Scott Fusco, Scott Young, Marty McInnis, Jeff Norton, Steve Rooney, Doug Brown, Greg Brown, Lane MacDonald, Kent Hughes, Ted Crowley, and Mark Krumpel.

Gazprom export will be led by Gazprom export Director General and team captain Alexander Medvedev. Beyond his hockey playing prowess, Medvedev is widely recognized for his leadership of the international energy giant as featured in a May 2007 profile in Time Magazine. The Gazprom export team will include several Russian Olympians, NHL veterans and stars of international competition such as Igor Larionov and Valery Kaminsky.

In addition to supporting the eastern Massachusetts and Russian youth hockey groups, the battle for the inaugural ?AspenTech Cup? will support Toys for Tots, the Colonel Daniel Marr Boys & Girls Club, and the Hockey Fights Cancer organization. Former NHL official Paul Stewart, spokesman for the Hockey Fights Cancer organization, will also be on hand to referee the game.

?It?s a privilege to be involved in this great event, and to know that so many wonderful organizations in the United States and Russia will benefit,? said Phil Cormier, president of the Lexington/Bedford Youth Hockey organization. ?The sport of hockey has always been a great training ground for teaching kids not just the game, but life lessons about teamwork and sportsmanship. Because of this event, it will be that much easier for us to reach more kids who otherwise might not have the opportunity.?

The Energy on Ice event will be held at The Edge Sports Center, 191 Hartwell Road, Bedford MA. Limited seating is available, on first-come first served basis. To gain admission, you must bring an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. Stanley Cup photographs and All-Star player autographs will be available starting at 3:00 pm. The All-Star game will begin at 5:30 pm, with the ceremonial puck being dropped by USA Hockey Hall of Fame great, Billy Cleary.