El Paso Rhinos to receive Purple Heart Sports Team award, first hockey team in Texas
EL PASO, Texas, (KTSM) — The El Paso Rhinos will receive a special honor this weekend.
On Saturday, March 30, the Rhinos hockey team will be named a Purple Heart Sports Team, the first Texas hockey team to earn the award.
The designation means is the team is committed to remembering acts of resilience by veterans, according to the Rhinos.
From Friday, March 29 through Sunday, March 31, the El Paso Rhinos will have their final regular-season home games against the Colorado Grit.
On Saturday, March 30, the hockey team will also be having their annual Teddy Bear Toss in memory of Joni Arnett. Fans are encouraged to bring brand-new stuffed animals to be tossed onto the ice after the Rhinos’ first goal.
Joni Arnett passed away on July 1, 2007. She was an alumni from UTEP with a degree in psychology and criminal justice, and as well with a master’s degree in sociology. She volunteered for numerous local charities in the El Paso area.
The stuffed animals will be donated to the El Paso County Sherriff’s Offices to then be used for calls involving children.
On Sunday, March 31, the Rhinos will have a special guest appearance by the Easter Bunny.
Tickets start at $5 and can be purchased through either Ticketmaster.com or in person at the Coliseum Box Office.
The Rhinos have qualified for playoffs and more information on dates will be released soon.
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