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Players called Chicago charity game “pretty special”

Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp

Plenty of NHL stars gathered for Chicago’s “Champs for Charity” game on Friday, raising $323,500 for causes in the process.

As various players told the Washington Times’ Stephen Whyno, it also helped raise the players’ spirits.

“It really hits you how much you miss it. It really makes every player here really want to get out playing,” Jordan Staal said. “It felt like it was pretty darn loud. We haven’t heard too many fans. That was really special.”

Troy Brouwer was the player most responsible for putting the event together, which he believes had very promising attendance.

“Everyone’s kind of in different places in their lives right now,” Brouwer said. “And for everyone to kind of drop everything and come in for the weekend and do something like this, it shows that the guys really care about these charities and these foundations and the thing that we’re trying to raise money for.”

Being in front of a crowd brimming with fans again didn’t hurt, either.

“Spirits have been a little low, obviously,” Ryan said. “I think the guys kind of needed it.”