ETC Cares Brings the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver to the Rink
Some nights at the arena are a big deal for reasons that aren’t just about the scoreboard. On Friday, Jan. 30, ETC Cares welcomed students from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver to a Denver Pioneers hockey game, paired with a behind-the-scenes experience made possible through ETC Cares and Event Tickets Center’s role as the official secondary ticketing partner for University of Denver Athletics.
For many of the kids, it was a first: first hockey game, first college arena, first chance to see what happens beyond the stands. With 10 Club members and one staff chaperone attending, game night became more about access, belonging, and the confidence that comes from simply being invited.
A Legacy of Impact: The Cope Club Joins the Action
The students who joined ETC Cares represented the Cope Club, officially known as the William E. Cope Boys & Girls Club, a location deeply rooted in the history of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver. The Club was named in honor of William E. Cope, an early leader who helped bring the organization to Denver and shape its legacy, which made the visit feel especially meaningful.
That legacy is also present in the everyday work the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver does across the city: serving thousands of young people through safe spaces, mentorship, and academic support. It is steady, community-first support that helps kids grow into their best selves.
More Than a Game: Mentorship and Support in the Mile High City
At its heart, ETC Cares is about opening doors through live events and using those moments to support our community. Partnering with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver aligned naturally with that mission because the Clubs’ mentorship program is committed to showing up, listening, and helping kids see what is possible.
High-Fives, Zambonis, and First-Time Thrills
The behind-the-scenes pieces were where the excitement really took off. The kids toured the facility, asked a ton of questions, and got the kind of access most fans only imagine, including climbing onto the Zamboni and taking in the arena from a completely different vantage point.
Then came lining the tunnel to high-five players skating onto the ice: it was a quick yet joyful moment that turned the arena into a welcoming ground.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Fans
ETC Cares is about providing experiences that stick with our community long after the final buzzer. When young people get welcomed into spaces that can feel intimidating at first, they leave with proof that they belong in the room.
The smiles from Jan. 30 captured exactly why this work matters. By creating opportunities in the live events space, ETC Cares hopes to inspire futures and help students realize that these moments and places are for them, too.