BLACKTOP RESURFACING PROJECTS

SAN JOSE, Calif - San Jose Sharks Captain Patrick Marleau recently partnered with the Sharks Foundation and the Good Tidings Foundation to construct a street hockey court at Washington Elementary School in downtown San Jose.  With the project now complete, Marleau was joined by teammates Joe Pavelski and Jeremy Roenick, Sharks President and Chief Executive Officer Greg Jamison, S.J. Sharkie and others to christen the court and battle the students in a game of street hockey on Wednesday, October 15. 

Extras: Click here to view pictures from the event.

"This was fun and Im glad to be a part of it," said Marleau following the one-hour ceremony that ended with autograph signings and ice cream for the students.

Community VIPs who attended the dedication ceremony included San Jose Unified School Board Superintendent Don Iglesias, School Board President Pam Foley and School Board Vice President Leslie Reynolds. The Board members sat alongside the Sharks players and were drenched in sun from a mid-October heat wave that pushed afternoon temperatures into the upper eighties.

While standing at the podium, overlooking the new hockey court, Foley and Iglesias could offer up nothing but thanks.

"This is an exciting opportunity for us," said Foley.  "Thank you so much to the Sharks Foundation and to the Captain.  Were so proud to partner with the Sharks organization.  We teach the mind and body to be healthy."

"I want to thank everyone so much for giving back to the community," added Iglesias.

Over the past six years, the Good Tidings Foundation and the Sharks Foundation have completed construction on five street hockey courts in the Bay Area. However, this is the first scenario to include a current Sharks athlete as a financial benefactor. It came together this offseason when Marleau looked into ways to further his support in the San Jose community. With the help of Sharks Director of Fan Development and Sharks Foundation Rob Jaynes, Marleau was paired with Washington Elementary and went on to fund more than one-third of the cost of the hockey court.

On the blacktop of the elementary school, the court was painted in a light teal color with white lining and Sharks logos. The students also received a donation of street hockey equipment, including jerseys, sticks, balls and goalie gear. Marleau has committed to visit the school throughout the year as he recognizes the importance of remaining a good role model for Bay Area youth.

"Its quite an honor to be aligned with people that work so hard on behalf of others," said San Joses 29-year-old Captain. "The Good Tidings Foundation and the Sharks Foundation have consistently demonstrated the ability to create positive outcomes for children and families throughout the Bay Area. I am excited and hopeful to think that the students at Washington Elementary School will receive as much fun and enjoyment from the ability to learn and play the game of hockey as I did as a kid."

While Marleau was in attendance to support the school, his teammates were on-hand to support him. Roenick and Pavelski sat alongside their captain and joined in for a street hockey game against the students. Other hockey staff in attendance included Sharks Head Coach Todd McLellan, although he stayed out of the media spotlight and watched the event from the sidelines.

"Its definitely great to do things like this for the kids," said Pavelski. "Their excitement was terrific and it was fun to be a part of it.  They were probably just as excited to see Sharkie as anyone else.  Maybe it will help them understand hockey more since ice time is tough to get."

Wednesdays event was really about the community. And speaking on behalf of Silicon Valley Sports and Entertainment, the Sharks parent organization, Jamison summed it up quite nicely.

"Were excited about whats going on here in our community and are very proud of our players," said Jamison.