The Toms River Hockey Club will launch its 50th anniversary season with a community celebration on September 13 at Winding River Skating Center, 1211 Whitesville Road.
The nonprofit, volunteer-run Blackhawks program has offered travel ice hockey for players ages 6 to 18 across central and southern New Jersey since 1975, emphasizing competitive play in a family-friendly setting.
A highlight of the day comes at 1:30 p.m., when the Blackhawks U18AA team faces the Brick Stars Challenger Organization, a program created in 2009 by Alex DePalma and Dina Crepaldi to teach skating and hockey skills to children and young adults with developmental disabilities.
Events are open to the public, with games beginning at 7 a.m. and continuing throughout the day. The final game is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. There is no admission charge; donations will be accepted to benefit the Brick Stars Challenger Organization.
As part of the anniversary season, the Blackhawks are encouraging new skaters to try the sport this fall. The club offers a developmental program for ages 5 to 8 and supports Winding River Skating Center’s “Learn To” classes that introduce first-time players of all ages and prepare them for club programs.
Program details and registration links are available at njblackhawks.com and the Brick Stars Challenger Organization can be found at brickstarschallenger.wixsite.com/brickstarschallenger. For more information, contact the Toms River Hockey Club Executive Board at trhcboard@gmail.com.
