US-born NHL players gather to honor late USA Hockey exec

FILE – This Aug. 4, 2017 file photo shows Jim Johannson speaking during a news conference in Plymouth, Mich. Auston Matthews and Patrick Kane were among dozens of U.S.-born NHL hockey players who gathered for a charity game won by the Blue over the White 14-9. The event honored longtime USA Hockey executive Jim Johannson, who died at age 53 in January. (Paul Sancya, File/Associated Press)

PLYMOUTH, Mich. — Auston Matthews and Patrick Kane were among dozens of U.S.-born NHL players who gathered for a charity game won by the Blue over the White 14-9 Sunday.

The event honored longtime USA Hockey executive Jim Johannson, who died at age 53 in January. He was serving as the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team general manager when he died.

His wife Abby Tompkins and their 2-year-old daughter, Ellie, participated in a ceremonial puck drop along with Johannson’s father, brother and sister.

Tompkins says the support has been incredible, adding it speaks to the kind of man her husband was in the hockey community.

The fundraiser benefited the Jim Johannson Legacy Fund , which supports grassroots hockey programs, and the Ellie Johannson College Fund.

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