Gretzky takes the ice in charity event

Former Rangers centerman and hockey hall of famer Wayne Gretzky took to the ice again at Coney Island’s Abe Stark Arena to participate in a charity event organized by TD Bank on Monday, February 25.

The event aimed to help the Greater New York City Ice Hockey League, which lost thousands of dollars of equipment when Hurricane Sandy battered the Abe Stark Arena, its home rink.

All in all, TD Bank donated $15,000 to the arena. “TD and Wayne Gretzky presented the League with a $10,000 check,” to replace skates and other equipment, and “an additional $5,000 to replace the blade sharpening machine,” said TD Bank spokesperson Eric Springer.

Gretzky addressed the crowd — which included State Senator Marty Golden, Councilmember Domenic Recchia, and TD Bank Regional President Chris Giamo, who presided over the event — and spoke to the children before taking the ice and dropping a puck to start up a youth game.

“TD Bank always tries to give back to the community,” Springer said. “Knowing how hard Sandy hit Brooklyn and New York City, this was the way we were able to give back and help the kids play hockey.”