Bucs Arena is being taken over by police officers and firefighters from all over the Midwest, who will be competing with local law enforcement teams and to help out with a good cause.
Every year, teams of Des Moines area law enforcement compete in an annual benefit game later in the year, but Saturday's tournament started out as a fun way to get some extra time on the ice before then. The idea caught on and ended up bringing in teams from five different states.
"We have eight teams from all over the Midwest here playing hockey. They're all police and fire hockey teams, and we're all here for a good time and to raise money for our charity, which is Make-a-Wish Iowa," said Detective Travis Hamilton, of the Johnston Police Department.
Hamilton is very familiar with the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Hamilton said when his son, Trae, was 17 months old, he needed a kidney transplant.
"I donated my kidney to him and he was granted a wish back in April 2011, so we were able to take a trip to Walt Disney World," Hamilton said.
Now that his son is doing well, Hamilton took over as organizer of the annual Guns and Hoses hockey game. Hamilton said the weekend's tournament is a preview of the big game in March.
"We had our biggest event ever last year. We raised over $20,000 for the Children's Cancer Connection," said Hamilton.
Ice teams from Chicago, St. Louis, Omaha and Nashville are hitting the ice on weekend, giving local police and firefighters some tough competition.
"I don't know how well we prepared for this, but I'm sure we're going to feel it in the morning," said Brian Sher, of the Indianola Police Department.
"(There's a nice trophy for the champion team to take back. It won't be staying here in Des Moines, I can tell you that pretty safely," said Hamilton.
"Just like anything else we're involved in, we're going to give 100 percent. We're going to give it the best effort that we have. That's what makes it all so much fun," said Jeff Cronin, of the Des Moines Police Department. "Truly, we want to make a difference, and if it means a difference for one child that gets to go to Disney World or something like that, that's great. We love it."
Every year, teams of Des Moines area law enforcement compete in an annual benefit game later in the year, but Saturday's tournament started out as a fun way to get some extra time on the ice before then. The idea caught on and ended up bringing in teams from five different states.
"We have eight teams from all over the Midwest here playing hockey. They're all police and fire hockey teams, and we're all here for a good time and to raise money for our charity, which is Make-a-Wish Iowa," said Detective Travis Hamilton, of the Johnston Police Department.
Hamilton is very familiar with the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Hamilton said when his son, Trae, was 17 months old, he needed a kidney transplant.
"I donated my kidney to him and he was granted a wish back in April 2011, so we were able to take a trip to Walt Disney World," Hamilton said.
Now that his son is doing well, Hamilton took over as organizer of the annual Guns and Hoses hockey game. Hamilton said the weekend's tournament is a preview of the big game in March.
"We had our biggest event ever last year. We raised over $20,000 for the Children's Cancer Connection," said Hamilton.
Ice teams from Chicago, St. Louis, Omaha and Nashville are hitting the ice on weekend, giving local police and firefighters some tough competition.
"I don't know how well we prepared for this, but I'm sure we're going to feel it in the morning," said Brian Sher, of the Indianola Police Department.
"(There's a nice trophy for the champion team to take back. It won't be staying here in Des Moines, I can tell you that pretty safely," said Hamilton.
"Just like anything else we're involved in, we're going to give 100 percent. We're going to give it the best effort that we have. That's what makes it all so much fun," said Jeff Cronin, of the Des Moines Police Department. "Truly, we want to make a difference, and if it means a difference for one child that gets to go to Disney World or something like that, that's great. We love it."
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