The Los Angeles Jr. Kings’ Squirt A team raised $6,500 for its families at a recent team-driven Skate-A-Thon event, which was held last weekend on the Pond rink at El Segundo’s Toyota Sports Center.

Leading up to the skate, members of the squad were tasked with reaching out to friends and family asking for their support with either a straight financial contribution or dollar pledge per lap.

On the ice, the players were required to skate as many laps as possible within a 30-minute timespan, and, in all, each player circled the rink from 50 to close to 100 times.

The money raised will be used by the Squirts to help fund additional ice time, tournament fees and off-ice training, among other team-related activities.

“We wanted to do a fundraiser that was fun for the kids and had the potential to raise a good amount of money for the team, and I’m excited to say we did that,” said Shelby Russell, the father of Squirt A defenseman Tyler Russell who helped organize the event. “All of the players and their families did an incredible job.”

The team was also greeted with a surprise visit from the Los Angeles Kings’ mascot, Bailey, who participated in the Skate-A-Thon. A spirited father-son game ensued following the fundraiser.

Other members of the team include forwards Michael Battista, Masun Fleece, Trace Graham, Luke Norcross, Brendan O’Brien, Dylan Podergois, Jake Stuart, Brady Witkin and Carson Woolcott; defensemen Lucas Cornforth, Myles Henry, Ryan Hornberger, Christian Plaga and Dane Sorensen; and goaltenders Ryan Denes and James Keefer.

“It was amazing to see the amount of support the team received, and all of the players and families are very appreciative,” Shelby Russell added. “The money we raised will go a long ways towards helping our kids continue to develop and love the sport of hockey.”