SHARKSPAGE

Hockey Fans in San Jose and South Korea raise over $42,000 for Japanese earthquake and tsunami disaster relief

JAPANESE TSUNAMI RELIEF EFFORTS ON THE GROUND- PHOTO JAPANESE RED CROSS

The scale of devastation wrought by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunamis that hit Japan on March 11th was so severe it may take decades for the island nation to recover. According to a late March press release by the American Red Cross, $120.5 million in public donations from the United States will go to help Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami response. The aid will be directed specifically to the Japanese Red Cross in the form of “direct emergency relief, medical services and emotional counseling to affected communities,” as well as additional contributions to the United Nation’s World Food Programme. The Japanese Red Cross is also helping to coordinate the evacuation and shelter of residents who live near the stricken Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant. In addition to public support, 19 United States naval vessels and 19,000 American military personnel are assisting with emergency and logistical efforts.

The nascent hockey community in Japan was also dealt a severe blow. The Korean Anyang Halla “Mighty Bears” club was the first non-Japanese team to win the Asia League championship in 2010. A year later they were set to defend their title against the Tohoku Free Blades in the Asia League Finals when the earthquake hit. The Tohoku practice facility, 80 miles south of Sendai, was heavily damaged. All of the Tohoku Free Blades were safe, and the Anyang Halla players and staff were able to fly back to Korea. According to the Anyang Halla website last month, the Asia League decided to name Anyang Halla and Tohoku Free Blades as the co-champions for 2010-11.

The status of the 2011-12 ALIH season, with 3 of 4 Japanese teams based in the Northeast, is uncertain. The Japanese Ice Hockey Federation also recently announced the withdrawl of its men’s national team from the IIHF World Qualifiers in Budapest, Hungary April 17-23th, the IIHF World U18’s 1A U-18 tournament in Riga, Latvia, and the women’s team from the Women’s Championship Division 1 tournament in Ravensburg, Germany. Japanese hockey officials told the IIHF that they had a “moral obligation” to withdrawl from the international competition to focus on recovery efforts. “Although we regret the absence of the Japanese athletes at our championships, this is a time where sporting activities become almost irrelevant,” IIHF President Rene Fasel said in a letter to the JIHF. “Our thoughts are with the Japanese people who have suffered immeasurably during the last weeks and we know that it will take many years to overcome the damages.” Puck Worlds blogger Bruce Peter believes the IIHF will offer a special exemption to Japan when it comes to promotion/relegation, but the time frame for a return of hockey to Japan may be furthur out.

Hockey communities tend to bind together to overcome problems, and a small footnote to the situation comes with the news that hockey fans in San Jose and Korea raised over $42,000 for Japanese relief efforts. The San Jose Sharks raised $11,500 through individual donations, and $13,500 through autographed stick auctions held during home games on March 23rd against Calgary, and March 31st against Dallas. Patrick Marleau’s stick drew the highest bid ($1,470), followed by Logan Couture’s ($1,039) and Joe Thornton’s ($1,000). “We’re thrilled with the way Sharks fans responded by generously giving to a quickly assembled initiative,” Sharks Foundation Manager Jeff Cafuir said via press release. “It’s our hope that this money will swiftly benefit all those affected by the tragedy, which undoubtedly includes many from our Bay Area Community.” The Sharks are the lone NHL franchise to have had an ALIH affiliate. They sponsored the China Sharks in 2008-09.

The Anyang Halla “Mighty Bears” also held a split-squad game to raise money for disaster relief. South Korean hockey fans and players donated over 19,904,800 won ($17,000) to the Japanese Red Cross. The Anyang Halla club itself donated nearly $5000. Fans contributed through a charity bazaar auctioning off player items, a goal raffle, and direct donations. “This was the best way to end the season for both Halla and Free Blades,” Anyang Halla General manager of Halla Seung-Jun Yang told the team website. “We would love to continue hockey and play championship final, but as the time goes by, things look worse than what we think in Japan. I am very proud of our players and our team.” Anyang also celebrated the 100th career goal for Sharkspage favorite Dong-Hwan Song, aka the Asian Rocket. Song scored the milestone 100th goal Feb. 19th against High-1. His game jersey was sent to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

[Note] Friend of the blog and former roommate, Atsushi, began sending us random and nearly unintelligble hockey updates from the Japan League back in 1998. A few were published, a few were not fit for consumption on a family sports blog. Atsushi and his family are fine, but shaken up like the rest of the country. A small donation from this blog was made to charity in Atsushi’s name.

[Update] Anyang Halla to play charity game for earthquake relief, Asia League expected to name co-champions after finals series cancelled – ProHockeyNews.com.