The Austin Bruins recently announced that Saturday night’s post-game jersey auction raised $22,250 for Defending the Blue Line, a Minnesota based charitable organization that uniquely combines financial assistance for the military with the sport of hockey.

The Bruins honored the United States Military by sporting camouflage jerseys during their games against the Minot Minotauros both Friday and Saturday night, and offered free admission to all members of the U.S. Armed Forces – past and present, for Saturday’s game. A live auction of each player’s jersey was held immediately following Saturday night’s contest at Riverside Arena. Winning bidders got the chance to take home the jersey that night and get their picture taken with the corresponding Bruins player.

Defending the Blue Line is a non-profit, charitable organization that strives to help cover the costs of playing the game of hockey for the children of military members. Headquartered in Hastings, Minn., Defending the Blue Line assisted the Bruins in promoting Military Appreciation night, bringing out one of the largest crowds of the season to Riverside Arena.

The live jersey auction marked the first of three in the 2015-2016 season for the Bruins. They will partner with the Hormel Institute for “Paint the Rink Pink” night on Feb. 6 for breast cancer research.

For more information on Defending the Blue Line, visit their Web Site at http://www.defendingtheblueline.org/.