Star-studded charity game in honor of Jim Johannson coming to USA Hockey Arena

By @MichaelCaples –

Some of USA Hockey’s biggest stars will be in Plymouth on Aug. 26 to pay tribute to Jim Johannson.

There will be a charity game at USA Hockey Arena that day, as the likes of Auston Matthews and Dylan Larkin suit up for a game in honor of the man known in the hockey world simply as ‘JJ.’

The 2018 Stars and Stripes Showdown – the Jim Johannson Memorial Game – is expected to have 35 to 40 NHL players and some of USA Hockey’s best coaches, as well.

For more info about the game, visit USAHockeyArena.com/starsandstripes.

Larkin, a product of USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, is helping organize the event to remember Johannson, USA Hockey’s assistant executive director of USA Hockey and the general manager of the 2018 U.S. Olympic men’s ice hockey team.

Johannson passed away on Jan. 21 at the age of 53.

“This will be a special day to remember J.J. and help benefit two great causes,” said Pat Kelleher, executive director for USA Hockey. “Dylan Larkin has been a catalyst in this effort and I’d particularly like to thank him for all he’s doing to make this game a reality. It will be a fun event for fans with so many of our top American players on the ice at one time.”

The USA Hockey Foundation has established a Jim Johannson Legacy Fund, which will “support the continued efforts of growing, developing and strengthening American hockey players through initiatives such as player development of our National Junior Team, National Team, National Team Development Program and Olympic Teams.

Money will also be raised for the Ellie Johannson College Fund to help the 2-year-old daughter of Jim and his wife, Abby.

“We are all very excited to honor J.J. with this game,” said Larkin, who will enter his fourth season with the Red Wings this fall. “I, along with many others, am thankful for the impact J.J. had on my career, and we are all eager to help his family and continue his legacy.”

Festivities at USA Hockey Arena on Aug. 26 (puck drop is scheduled for 2 p.m.) include a live game-worn jersey auction, an online auction featuring game-worn jerseys and autographed NHL memorabilia, in-arena raffles and a post-game meet-and-greet with players and coaches.

Here is a look at the roster as it stands today:

THE PLAYERS (UPDATED)

Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings)

Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs)

James van Riemsdyk (Philadelphia Flyers)

Charlie McAvoy (Boston Bruins)

Jimmy Howard (Detroit Red Wings)

Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets)

Danny DeKeyser (Detroit Red Wings)

Ryan Suter (Minnesota Wild)

Zach Parise (Minnesota Wild)

Kyle Connor (Winnipeg Jets)

Anders Bjork (Boston Bruins)

Andrew Copp (Winnipeg Jets)

Patrick Eaves (Anaheim Ducks)

Colin White (Ottawa Senators)

J.T. Compher (Colorado Avalanche)

Connor Murphy (Chicago Blackhawks)

Matthew Tkachuk (Calgary Flames)

Noah Hanifin (Calgary Flames)

Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets)

Jake McCabe (Buffalo Sabres)

Connor Carrick (Toronto Maple Leafs)

Luke Glendening (Detroit Red Wings)

Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks)

Johnny Gaudreau (Calgary Flames)

Craig Anderson (Ottawa Senators)

Seth Jones (Columbus Blue Jackets)

Jacob Trouba (Winnipeg Jets)

Cam Atkinson (Columbus Blue Jackets)

Alex DeBrincat (Chicago Blackhawks)

Nick Foligno (Columbus Blue Jackets)

Cam Fowler (Anaheim Ducks)

Matt Hunwick (Buffalo Sabres)

Anders Lee (New York Islanders)

Brady Skjei (New York Rangers)

Patrick Sieloff (Ottawa Senators)

 

THE COACHES

Jeff Blashill (Detroit Red Wings)

Tony Granato (Wisconsin Badgers)

John Hynes (New Jersey Devils)

David Quinn (New York Rangers)