Pro Hockey Players Joining All-Star Charity Game in Brainerd

Minnesota Wild star Matt Boldy, along with other NHL and professional hockey players will be taking the ice on Saturday, Jul. 18 at the Essentia Health Sports Center in Brainerd for the Be Next Charity All-Star Game.

Brainerd Warrior alum Mitch McLain founded the Be Next McLain Family Foundation to support youth athletics, scholarships, and community-driven initiatives throughout the area. McLain’s goal is to bring high-level hockey to the Brainerd Lakes Area, and he hopes the game’s impact will be felt in surrounding communities through funds raised.

“I think it’s really excited for hockey in general,” McLain told Lakeland News. “These players are some of the best in the world. They are the blueprint for if you want to be a hockey player, what you have to do to get there. Our goal is just to help kids stay involved in sports, learn the lessons that can help them do whatever they want to do afterwards. It’s a pretty cool opportunity to share something that I’ve been doing outside of this community, but we can always come home and I’ve felt that way, and Brainerd’s a special place to a lot of us.”

In addition to Boldy, the Be Next Charity All-Star Game is expected to feature Brainerd alums Eric Pohlkamp, who signed with the San Jose Sharks this off-season, as well as Cole Smith, who just inked a three-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Also, there will be a big Hockey Day Minnesota announcement after the game, where they’ll announce the teams competing in next January’s event in Brainerd.