Mike Edmonston, a professional hockey goalie, at last year's challenge at Bell Gym.

Hockey Slap Shot Challenge at Bell Gym

The White Sands Missile Range community is invited to take the challenge at the 2^nd annual Hockey Slap Shot Challenge taking place at Bell Gym Sept. 27 and 29 and Oct 4 and 6.

Bell Gym challenges you to a slap shot contest against a professional hockey goalie. If you successfully score a goal, you will receive a free sports and fitness punch card and various autographed prizes. The event is free to play from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on the dates mentioned and is open to all DoD card holders. Register by calling or visiting the Bell Gym front desk.

Mike Edmonston, an Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist at WSMR, is the goalie and will be taking shots on goal from adults and kids from WSMR to include military, civilian and their families.

Edmonston, 53, is a professional hockey goalie. Although he never played in the NHL, he played all over the country for several teams. This includes teams from Las Vegas, New Jersey, Colorado, Virginia Beach, Tampa Bay, and Sunrise South Florida.

He has been playing since 1973. In 2018 his team from New Jersey won the Labeda Cup National Championship in Las Vegas. He has also played for the Mexican team "Indios" from Chihuahua and has twice been recognized as best goalie in the Texas / Mexico "Battle of the Border" tournament.

“I am currently with our El Paso men's ice hockey league, we are seven-time champions,” Edmonston said.

The challenge is as follows: The player will have one minute to run around (No skates on players) with a hockey stick and a puck and attempt to score as many goals as possible on Edmonston. After the one minute is up, they get one minute of rest and then have five pucks to slap shot from 15 feet away and score on him.

Only one attempt per person per day. Best score at the end of the tournament wins the prizes.

Prizes include signed hockey game jerseys from the El Paso Rhinos, signed game pucks, El Paso Rhinos game tickets for the participants and families, small goalie sticks signed by Edmonston, and recognition at an El Paso Rhinos Hockey Game prior to puck drop.

The event is sponsored by Family and Morale Welfare and Recreation.

All current COVID-19 guidelines will be followed during event.

For more information call (575) 678-3374.

By Miriam Rodriguez

WSMR Public Affairs