Pink hockey sticks raise money & awareness for breast cancer research

This month, NHL players will be using pink sticks to raise awareness for breast cancer awareness. Cool.

After the sticks are used, they will be autographed by the players and auctioned on eBay. Last year's effort raised over $176,000.

The sticks are manufactured and painted pink by H-and-B of Wallaceburg, Ont. Spokesman Gary Ireland says more than 400 pink sticks will be used by NHL players on March 16, 17 and 18. For the first time, this year the company will offer pink sticks for sale in stores.

Last year, H-and-B initially planned on shipping 400 sticks to the league, but word of mouth among players increased demand. Eventually, more than 800 sticks were painted pink.

Pittsburgh Penguins phenom Sydney Crosby's stick drew one of the highest bids last season, fetching more than $3,200. Yet one more reason that The Wizard of Cros is the next big thing in the NHL.

I love stories like these. Lost in all of the arrests, thuggery and other off-the-field troubles among professional athletes is the fact that many, many pros do give back by donating money and time to worthwhile charitable causes.

I guess it just doesn't make for good press.

Bravo, NHL.

Info. for this post was taken from nhl.com