Stop making me like you, okay? (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Next weekend, Flyers forward Scott Hartnell decided to put together a charity hockey game for victims of Hurricane Sandy in Atlantic City called “Operation Hat Trick”. Who did he call to help? Brad Richards.

I don’t know the connection, I don’t understand the connection but apparently there is a connection between Rangers players and Flyers players. (Yes I understand the whole “no friends on the ice” concept but these two teams HATE each other out there and then go out for drinks afterwards? It makes no sense to me.)

The game will be played at Historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City next Saturday night at 7pm. While the full teams haven’t been decided, Hartnell and Richards will be the two captains. Tickets are between $20 – $100 and went on sale this morning. All proceeds are going to the Empire State Relief Fund, the New Jersey Hurricane Relief Fund and the American Red Cross to aid families in New York and New Jersey affected by the hurricane. If you’re in the area and interested in going, you can find out all the info here.

Rangers participants include (as of this writing): Henrik Lundqvist, Ryan Callahan, Brian Boyle, Jeff Halpern and Steve Eminger. I’ve also seen rumors that Taylor Pyatt might be there as well. Other participants include: Bobby Ryan, Kimmo Timonen, Braydon Coburn, James van Riemsdyk, Simon Gagne, Ville Leino, Daniel Carcillo, Jody Shelley, and James Neal. Rumors of John Carlson, Steve Downie, and Wayne Simmonds either participating or supporting off the ice have been mentioned as well.

Once again the players are doing a great thing. And once again a Flyer is making me like him. This isn’t cool guys!

That said, it is great to see these players help their adoptive homes. I’m going to try and get to the game but if anyone else does and wants to write about it or share pictures, feel free to contact me.