The boy’s hockey team hosted a fundraiser at Applebee’s Oct. 26. The fundraiser was named “Pancakes for Pucks,” and the team does it annually to raise money for the upcoming season. The fundraiser is used as a team-building event because all of the players help to bussing tables and serve. Typically, the team holds the fundraiser at the Legion Park, but switched it up this year and chose their venue to be Applebee’s.
Senior captain Jack Betzer said the team chose Applebee’s due to the cost and area.
“It was the most cost-efficient (and) it’s a great location. Everyone knows where it is (and) it’s just a great spot,” Betzer said.
Senior Louis Piper said he liked how open and spacious Applebee’s was for all of the guests. He said the space allowed for bigger groups than Legion Park did.
“(Applebee’s is) a pretty good venue, and there’s a lot of space, so a lot of people can come versus the Legion last year—it was kind of tight,” Piper said. “(Applebee’s) allowed more comfortable guests. It looked like everyone had a good time.”
Chair member Kali Anderson said they decided to give Applebee’s a try this year because of the level of flexibility and support.
“Applebee’s has done it for other sports teams, so we thought we would give it a try,” Anderson said. “They’ve been super accommodating and very supportive of the team and what we want to do.”
Piper said the event was great team-building event outside of just fundraising. He thinks the work of bussing the tables and not being paid for the work brought them together more.
“(The fundraiser) is great for team camaraderie,” Piper said. “All the boys are bussing tables together, so that gives us a chance to meet the people we don’t know or just aren’t very close with and get to know them before the season starts.”
Betzer said the event was more than just a fundraiser. He said being able to work together off the rink helps their relationship building and team chemistry.
“It’s a great team-building moment, especially because we’re not getting paid,” Betzer said. “We’re all just working for the team and for each other, and that kind of just helps us build relationships with each other.”
Anderson said this was a great team-building event because it made the players take leadership.
“(The fundraiser) has been really good because the boys have to do everything here versus at the Legion,” Anderson said. “Here, they host, serve, bus dishes and fill drinks.”
Betzer said he thought the fundraiser was a success. He said it was nice to see a vast amount of people show up in support of the team.
“It has been a very successful turnout. There’s more people than I thought were gonna be here, so that’s a plus,” Betzer said.
Piper said he hopes the money goes to equipment that improves the team, whether that’s uniforms or equipment. He said the money would be helpful for buses considering they have a tournament up in Duluth.
“Buses up north for our Duluth tournament, new uniforms, ice time, pucks, really just anything that helps the team in any way,” Piper said
The boys’ hockey season starts with their home opener at 7 p.m. against Chaska Nov. 22 at the St. Louis Park Rec Center.
