What is the
Lehigh Valley Winter Classic?
Our timeline....
2014
$3,000
2015
$4,681
2016
$18,345
2017
$25,800
2018
$40,658
2019
$44,032
2020
$58,014
2021
$55,567
2022
$69,595
2023
$60,285
2024
$65,776
The Lehigh Valley Winter Classic is an all day ice hockey celebration with all the proceeds going to the Special Hockey of the Lehigh Valley. The event includes full regulation hockey games, merchandise to purchase, a huge gift basket raffle section, silent auctions, food stand, and special appearances from professional hockey alumni.
The event’s hosts, the Lehigh Valley Whalers hockey club, will face off along with several other local hockey teams throughout the day, all of which help raise money for the event. In addition to a great day of outdoor hockey, there will be a huge basket raffle featuring hundreds of goods and services donated by local families and businesses, Winter Classic merchandise and food for sale, music, and a lot of fun. 100% of the proceeds from the event go to Special Hockey of the Lehigh Valley.
Special Hockey of the Lehigh Valley gives children and adults with Autism, Down Syndrome, and other cognitive challenges, the chance to learn and play ice hockey in an inclusive and supportive environment. The team continues to grow with more players and a network of dedicated coaches and volunteers that help make it all possible.
The Classic kicks off with the first game at 8:00 am at Earl E. Schaffer Municipal Ice Rink - 345 Illick's Mill Road, Bethlehem, PA 18018. Games will be played throughout the day and into the evening. Our Facebook page will have all of the event details: facebook.com/LVWinterClassic/
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Throughout the last few years, we were happy to have many VIP guests come out to sign autographs and meet the Polar Bears. Philadelphia Flyers Alumni Bill Clement, Riley Cote, John LeClair, Mark Howe, Todd Fedoruk, Doug Crossman, Joe Watson, Hall-of-Fame NHL Referee Kerry Fraser, and NBC Sports reporter Taryn Hatcher. Our amazing VIPs also serve as the team bench coaches for each of the special hockey teams.
ALL proceeds are donated directly to the SHLV Polar Bears team. Event is free to attend and donations can be made online and on-site at the event.
Please provide your support for this amazing local cause by cheering on the teams, purchasing event merchandise, and bidding on the extensive auction/raffle items, including a wide variety of Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms memorabilia and game tickets.
See you outside!
The Faces of the Lehigh Valley Winter Classic
From left to right: Cain Bochter (Marketing and E-Commerce), Eric Simons (Founding Volunteer), Joseph Guellnitz (President, Special Hockey of the Lehigh Valley), Nicole Jensen-Guellnitz (Co-Founder, Special Hockey of the Lehigh Valley), Tim Arnold (Teams, Sponsorships), Sarah Bochter (Guest Experience), Carrie Cevicelow (Raffles), Mark Gallagher (Finance, Site Ops), Blake Strobl (Site Ops), Adam Bortz (Founder, Director)
VIPs: Joe Watson, Doug Crossman, Mark Howe