With left wing Scott Thornton facing off against S.J. Sharkie and defenseman Brad Stuart in the net, it was officially “game on” at the Silicon Valley Children’s Shelter in San Jose this past week.

Thornton, Stuart, Sharkie, defenseman Scott Hannan and radio play-by-play commentator Dan Rusanowsky were all on hand November 2 to dedicate the shelter’s new street hockey court, which was a gift from both The Sharks Foundation and The Good Tidings Foundation. Besides a completely refinished court, the shelter also received border pads, jerseys, goalie equipment, nets, sticks, and pucks to ensure that everyone had exactly what they needed to learn the game and enhance their skills.

This recreational space was one of several that the foundations have collaborated on in the past few years and both groups were pleased to have the Silicon Valley Children’s Shelter as their beneficiary. The shelter, which opened ten years ago, is operated in conjunction with the Silicon Valley Children’s Fund and is the residential, educational, and recreational home to abused and neglected children within Santa Clara County.

“[This event] is important because we are lucky to do what we do and if we have the opportunity to help under-privileged kids then we should,” said Stuart, “It’s a small thing for us, but it is a huge deal for the kids.”

Speaking on behalf of The Sharks Foundation, Rusanowsky emphasized the team’s commitment to improving the lives of youth in Santa Clara County, as residents eagerly awaited the opportunity to take to the court and get some pointers from the professionals. Once Children’s Shelter Executive Director Mihn Ngo-Gonzalez and Good Tidings Founder Larry Harper cut the ceremonial ribbon, everyone quickly picked teams, grabbed sticks, and took full advantage of the new space.