UArizona Hockey Team to Host Sixth Annual ‘Pink the Rink’ on Jan. 18

The Arizona Wildcat ice hockey team will host the sixth annual “Pink the Rink” game on Saturday, Jan. 18, to promote cancer awareness and contribute proceeds to the University of Arizona Cancer Center. The game against Missouri State University will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Tucson Arena, 260 S. Church Ave., in the Tucson Convention Center.

The local community is invited to participate in this event by purchasing a commemorative jersey featuring the name of a loved one to be worn by a Wildcat hockey player during the game. The commemorative game jerseys are $250, and all proceeds go directly to research at the UArizona Cancer Center.

After the game, players will present their game-worn jerseys to the purchasers, and the team will host a special program featuring stories of those being honored. Honorees may include cancer victims, cancer survivors or individuals battling the disease. They alsomay choose to honor those who care for patients in the home, who volunteer through community work or who have dedicated their career to battling cancer.

“The ‘Pink the Rink’ game is something we look forward to every year,” said head coach Chad Berman. “It’s more than a hockey game. It feels like the entire community is in the building that day. We are honored to take advantage of our platform and to unite the community for something that, unfortunately, effects so many of us one way or another.”

Rachna Shroff, MD, medical director of the clinical trials office, has been selected to represent the UArizona Cancer Center for the ceremonial puck drop at the start of the game. Dr. Shroff is a research member in the Cancer Center’s Therapeutic Development Program and an associate professor in the Division of Hematology and Oncology. She also serves as section chief of gastrointestinal medical oncology.

“I am honored to be a part of this wonderful opportunity to represent the Cancer Center as we join the hockey team in raising cancer awareness throughout our community,” Dr Shroff said. “The Cancer Center is determined to prevent and cure cancer, and we have tremendous teams of researchers and physicians working tirelessly to advance cancer research and care. The generous support and donations raised through this hockey game will help us advance our mission and give back to those affected by cancer in our community.”

Fans attending the game are encouraged to wear pink. Tickets are on sale and range from $10-15. For more information and to purchase tickets and/or a jersey, visit: arizonawildcathockey.org/pink. Jersey numbers are available on a first-come, first-served basis from 1 to 35.