On July 18, the modest city of Brainerd, Minnesota, will host a charity All-Star Game that gathers rising NHL star Matt Boldy and a handful of fellow professionals for a cause that hits close to home.
A Game With a Purpose
Organized by Brainerd native Mitch McLain, the event is more than a showcase; it is the centerpiece of the Be Next McLain Family Foundation’s effort to bring top-level hockey to the Brainerd Lakes Area and to give local youngsters a chance to see the game up close.
McLain’s foundation, which operates under the web domain benextmclain.org, focuses on youth athletics and community development, using the excitement of high-profile play to spark interest and participation among the region’s next generation.
Adding to the roster, former Minnesota standouts Eric Pohlkamp and Cole Smith will also take the ice; Pohlkamp recently signed with the San Jose Sharks after a stint in the minors, while Smith committed to a three-year agreement with the Chicago Blackhawks.
The game will serve as a launchpad for a larger Hockey Day Minnesota celebration, with organizers promising a major announcement after the match that will reveal the line-up for next January’s edition, further cementing Brainerd’s role in the state’s hockey calendar.