WHEELING, W.Va. — WesBanco Arena hosted a special hockey all-star event on Wednesday evening, featuring teams from Wheeling Park, Wheeling Central, and Linsly, alongside members of the Wheeling Nailers. The event was organized to raise funds for the Josh Merriman Foundation, a cause close to the hearts of many in the local hockey community.
The foundation, established in memory of Josh Merriman, a former hockey player from Steubenville who tragically took his own life, works to promote mental health awareness and support others facing similar struggles.
During the event, several $500 scholarships were awarded to standout players, including Severino Smathers, Brady Kerr, and Anna Brannare.
Wheeling Central Coach P.J. Ratcliffe spoke about the significance of the event, saying, “Hockey is a small community, and if there’s a way we can give back to our own and help with college scholarships, while making a positive impact with tonight’s game, that’s what we aimed to do.”
Colleen Merriman, Josh’s mother and co-founder of the Josh Merriman Foundation, shared the organization’s heartfelt mission: “The ultimate goal is if we can just save one person, one student, one individual, so their family doesn’t have to experience the same tragedy we’ve endured, then it’s all worth it.”
