NEW MEXICO ICE WOLVES TO WEAR SPECIAL TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION THEMED JERSEYS FOR A COACH’S PERSONAL CAUSE
Team to Wear Special Jerseys During Home Games on Friday and Saturday, February 21-22
Game Worn Jerseys Will be Available on DASH Auctions with All Proceeds Going to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation
(Albuquerque, NM) Thursday, January 23, 2025 —The New Mexico Ice Wolves® today announced the team will wear special Tunnel to Towers Foundation themed jerseys for home games on Friday, February 21 and Saturday, February 22, 2025, which will be auctioned on DASH Auctions with all proceeds going to the foundation. Born from the tragedy of 9/11, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation carries out its mission to “do good” by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. Tunnel to Towers is also committed to eradicating veteran homelessness, which has special meaning to New Mexico Ice Wolves Head Coach Kevin Hartzell, and helping America to Never Forget September 11, 2001.
“Tunnel to Towers is a charity near and dear to my heart because of their main mission of getting homeless and distressed veterans off the street and into homes. After his military service my older brother Michael became homeless and led a 40-year life on the street,” said Kevin Hartzell, Head Coach of the New Mexico Ice Wolves. “His life brought the homeless problems facing veterans into focus for me. Tunnel to Towers is a great organization and I have made it a mission in coming to Albuquerque to do what I can for the great organization. I hope many will join me by supporting Tunnel to Towers and consider getting involved with this fundraiser that means so much to me.”
Fans and supporters can support coach Hartzell and the team starting now by making a direct donation to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation here. The NM Ice Wolves will wear the special Tunnel to Towers Foundation jerseys during home games at Outpost Ice Arenas in Albuquerque Friday – Saturday, February 21-22, 2025, as the team takes on NAHL South Division rival Odessa Jackalopes. Both games begin at 6:30pm MT. Throughout the weekend all proceeds of rubber NM Ice Wolves that fans toss on the ice after the home team scores will go to Tunnel to Towers as will Chuck-a-Puck proceeds. On the morning of the Saturday, February 22 home game there will be a pancake breakfast at Outpost Ice Arenas from 8am-10am MT hosted by Coach Hartzell and the NM Ice Wolves NAHL team to support this effort with all fans, and supporters welcome. Fans and supporters are also welcome to enjoy a free open skate from 9am-10am MT. Additional details for the pancake breakfast will be announced at a later date.
When Coach Hartzell joined the NM Ice Wolves and came to New Mexico with his wife Mary Beth the only thing he asked was for the team, fans and community to make a major effort to support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation as a way to help others and honor his late brother Michael. Throughout the first three months of 2025, the NM Ice Wolves will encourage fans and others in our community and beyond to help honor Coach Hartzell’s brother by contributing to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation so that other veterans and first responders can get support from the foundation.
Fan and collector support of the jersey auction will help Tunnel to Towers by placing a bid and taking home a unique fully embroidered game jersey that was designed specifically for this event. The auction will be on Dash Auctions app starting Wednesday, February 19 at 9am MT and will close Wednesday, February 26 at 7pm MT. Starting auction price for each jersey will be $250 with a buy now option at $2,000. In addition to the fully embroidered, game worn jerseys, there will be a few jerseys customized for and signed by national celebrities that will be announced at a later date. To bid on an item you must create a Dash Auctions account by visiting https://web.dashapp.io/register, then download the app, sign in and you’re set to place a bid to help Tunnel to Towers and get a very unique, fully embroidered hockey jersey to show your commitment to a great cause.
The New Mexico Ice Wolves continue their regular season in the North American Hockey League (NAHL), currently sitting in fifth place of the South Division after sweeping the Amarillo Wranglers this past weekend. They are off this weekend to rest and recharge and are back in action Friday, January 31 and Saturday, February 1 at the Outpost Ice Arenas. Single game tickets start at $27.50 for reserved stadium chair seats and $15 for bleacher seats. Tickets can be purchased at tickets.nmicewolves.com. For accessible and companion seating please contact tickets@nmicewolves.com.
The team has two hospitality suites available on a single game basis. Suites come with light snacks and fountain drinks, and catering options are available for an additional charge. The Land of Enchantment Suite starts at $499 and seats 32, and the Sandia Suite starts at $599 and seats 42. Anyone interested in reserving a suite for a group or special event can contact tickets@nmicewolves.com for more information.
View the entire 2024-2025 NAHL schedule here.
All NAHL games are live on NATV through a monthly or annual subscription, there is also a pay-as-you-go option to pay per game. To learn more about the NM Ice Wolves please visit their NAHL Team Page or on social media on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram and the arena at www.outposticearena.com. For team media inquiries, please contact Aaron Martinez at 505-212-8762 or amartinez@reelz.com
About the Tunnel to Towers Foundation
Born from the tragedy of 9/11, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation carries out its mission to “do good,” by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. Tunnel to Towers is also committed to eradicating veteran homelessness and helping America to Never Forget September 11, 2001. Visit t2t.org to learn more. Follow Tunnel to Towers on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
About DASH
DASH is a fan activation platform built specifically for sports teams and their fans. Teams and fans across college and professional sports, as well as throughout the US and Canada, have had tremendous success enhancing their game day, and non-game day fan experience on the platform. For more information about DASH, visit http://www.winwithdash.com.
DASH was founded in 2015 by Jonathan Hufnagel in Plano, Texas. While working for FC Dallas in Major League Soccer, Hufnagel recognized the opportunity to launch DASH. With the prevalence of smartphones in every fan’s hand, he recognized the potential in digitizing team auctions and additional Ecommerce offerings. Through the auctions, fans could connect with their favorite teams in an emotional and engaging way, and at the same time get their hands on the most authentic memorabilia and team experiences. For the teams, they could connect with their fans and drive revenues for other business units of the club, such as merchandise, concessions, sponsorships, and ticket sales.
About NAHL
Celebrating its 50th season in 2024-25, the NAHL is the oldest and one of the largest junior hockey leagues of its kind in the United States and one of only two USA Hockey-certified leagues that operate under the free-to-play model. The NAHL is also one of the best in the world at advancing players to NCAA and professional hockey.
With 400 NCAA commitments during the 2023-24 season, the league has set a new standard with 300+ NCAA commitments in each of the last eight seasons. That also includes 270 NCAA Division I commitments this past season. In addition, six players with NAHL ties were listed in the NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings for the 2024 NHL Draft.