THE KINGSFORD HIGH SCHOOL hockey team will don pink jerseys for the “Pink the Rink” event Saturday to fund free “Hockey Hugs” blankets for cancer patients. Pictured are, from left to right: Top row — Ben Schroeder, Trent Juul, Joe Murvich, Tysen Wadge, Ben Johnson, Alek Shanks, Sawyer Perpich, David Brule and Eamonn Weed; lower row — Ricky Holmstrom, Eli Langston, Daunte Fortner, Dempsey Lauridsen, Ethan Fox, Brennan Phillips, Reece Fortner and Trevor Anderson. Not pictured are Austin VanPembrook and Jackson Andrews.

KINGSFORD — The Kingsford Flivver varsity hockey team wanted to do something to help local patients being treated for cancer.

Assistant coach Mike Erkkila suggested “Pink the Rink,” an event patterned after a program in his hometown of Calumet.

Erkkila is passionate about helping cancer patients — his father is a survivor — and he thought the hockey team could incorporate the sport they play into a drive to make a difference.

The team has partnered with the Breitung Township Schools, the Dickinson County Hospital Foundation and the Dickinson County Healthcare Systems  to provide free fleece “Hockey Hugs” blankets for cancer patients.

Darla Hanson, DCHS cancer patient navigator, said they had a similar program that was discontinued and the patients really miss it.

The public is invited to the hockey game at 1 p.m. Saturday at Mountain View Ice Arena, 400 E. Hughitt St. in Iron Mountain, as the Flivvers take on the Ashland, Wis., Oredockers.

Breitung Township Schools will donate all ticket sales for the event. Everyone is encouraged to wear pink clothing, with a prize given for the best “Pinked Out” attire. The event also will include raffles, other giveaways, and the special pink jerseys shown in the photo above will be raffled off in a silent auction.

All proceeds will support the “Hockey Hugs” cancer blanket program. Anyone who can’t attend the game but wants to support the effort can mail tax-deductible donations to: DCH Foundation/Pink the Rink, 1721 S. Stephenson Ave., Iron Mountain, MI 49801.