Stars Play Hockey to Benefit Heroes

By Elizabeth Darst

03/25/2002 at 07:59 AM EST

The first-annual "Heroes in Uniforms" benefit was held at Chelsea Piers in New York City on Saturday with celebrities and National Hockey League alumni squaring off on the ice, reports PEOPLE. David Boreanaz, star of the WB vampire show, "Angel," said that he has played hockey since he was a kid, and suited up despite a bad knee. "It's strange," he said. "I'm from Buffalo, N.Y., and coming back here is very traumatic to say the least. There's good energy and bad energy, and we just have to embrace it and move on, but remember it at the same time." Supermodel Kim Alexis duked it out with her husband, ex-NHL player Ron Duguay. The two regularly play the game with their five kids, and have participated in other hockey benefits. Proceeds from Saturday's game went directly to the victims' families. NYPD and FDNY officers, and Port Authority policemen also competed in the round robin hockey tournament. Actor Vincent Young, formerly of "Beverly Hills 90210" told PEOPLE, "I wanted to do anything I could to help out. All the firemen and policemen busted their butts for us, and I wanted to do any bit to contribute. It feels different here, but New Yorkers are so positive and strong. It's amazing." TV host and actor Alan Thicke, a Canadian who co-founded the celebrity hockey charity team with "Jeopardy!" host Alec Trebek 25 years ago, skated off the ice saying, "I can go home now, I got a goal."