Riordan Hits the Ice to Help L.A. Youth

Mayor Richard Riordan laced up his skates and donned a hockey uniform at North Hills’ Iceoplex on Sunday, mixing it up on the ice for the benefit a Los Angeles Police Department youth program.

Riordan, who took up ice skating two years ago at age 64 and who plays hockey about once a month, skated for a LAPD-Sheriff’s Department team, with spirit if not much finesse.

Struggling at one point to get his stick on the puck, the mayor, who had forgotten his shoulder pads, was knocked mercilessly to the ice by a member of the opposing celebrity team.

But the hard checking did not faze hizzoner. He got back up on his skates and played on.

When the ice shavings settled, the celebrity team featuring former Los Angeles Kings forward Dave Taylor and actor Chad Lowe had beaten the mayor and the law enforcement team 11-9.

But the real winner could be a trio of LAPD youth programs that may soon be bolstered by a substantial donation, Riordan said Sunday.

The chance to help young people persuaded Taylor, now a member of the Kings front office, to play his first game of hockey in about a year.

The game raised funds for the LAPD’s Jeopardy Program, an anti-gang effort. That program and two other LAPD activities--the Explorers, a scouting program for youths interested in law enforcement careers, and Police Activity League Supporters, which operates a youth center in Reseda--will reap the benefit of the donation if it comes through.

Riordan declined to disclose details about the possible donation, but said one condition of the gift is that the programs be better coordinated. Currently, individual stations run them.

“There’s no centralized leadership,” the mayor said before the game. “It’s up to each station.”

He said he expects to make a formal announcement about the donation in three months.

Sunday’s match raised money through ticket sales, a silent auction of sports memorabilia and donations from individuals (the mayor pitched in $100) and corporate sponsors (Cablevision Industries of Chatsworth donated $6,000).

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The evening netted $9,000, which will go to the LAPD’s Foothill Station Jeopardy program.

“Whatever we can raise is wonderful,” said Officer Richard Stocks, who heads the program. The funds will go toward ice hockey, in-line skating and figure-skating activities, Stocks said, adding that it costs about $200 to outfit each youth for these sports.

Monica Avila came with her family to watch the charity hockey game. With her 14-year-old son already involved in gangs, Avila, a Pacoima resident, got her 12-year-old son involved in the police program instead.

“It keeps him busy,” she said of her son Arthur. Otherwise, “he wants to be on the street.”