Local Hockey Club Turns Love of Hockey Into a Mission That Gives Back
Writer & Photographer / Stephanie Duncan
Hockey is alive and well in the Indianapolis area, and the Plastered Penguins Hockey Club is a big reason why.
What started as a casual Sunday league has grown into a thriving community of players who created the Plastered Penguins Hockey League to bring like-minded athletes together — fostering a fun atmosphere for playing hockey and offering players a chance to compete in local tournaments.
“A lot of our members wanted to play more hockey together,” Chris Harter says. “We all have very good chemistry. If you’re having a bad day, your buddy is going to keep you in check and support you when you’re going through a hard time.”
Ten years later, the hockey beer league has more than 80 members — enough for three competitive teams — and they are celebrating their recent designation as an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Teammate and treasurer Reed Kaczmarek started playing for the Plastered Penguins in 2017 and attributes the team’s growth to its community focus.
“I played hockey my entire life. I played collegiately and then met some of the guys [that play for the Penguins] through local leagues,” Kaczmarek says. “This group is very special because of the like-mindedness and the goals we have to help the community.”
A hockey beer league is an amateur adult hockey league featuring players of varying abilities and competitiveness — and sometimes, a postgame celebration with a drink. This camaraderie and love for hockey expanded beyond a traditional beer league, with many founding members wanting to give back to the community.
Outside of competitive tournaments, the team hosts events to raise money for various charities. They recently volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and host two charity tournaments each year that benefit the Chase Foundation.
Last year, after becoming an established nonprofit, they created a scholarship in memory of a former Penguins teammate, Jack Meachum.
The Jack Meachum Scholarship raises money to provide hockey equipment for the Coliseum Youth Hockey Association at the Pop Weaver Youth Pavilion at the State Fairgrounds. The Coliseum Youth Hockey programs introduce young aspiring players between the ages of 4 and 12 to the thrill of ice hockey.
Inspiring young athletes was a big passion for Meachum, and it’s something his teammates want to honor in his memory. Meachum was the varsity lacrosse coach at Carmel High School for six years before his tragic accident and is remembered for his dedication to his players.
“A lot of what we try to do now is in memory of Jack, and to have a bigger impact on the community,” Kaczmarek says.
“He was very involved in lacrosse in Indiana, and he was very involved in coaching and giving his time to his players,” Harter adds. “Our goal with this scholarship was to make sure that his impact is still benefiting the youth and hockey community.”
The Penguins host Thursday night and Sunday leagues, giving players multiple opportunities to play. The three teams, at varying skill levels, also participate in tournaments each year to provide as many chances as possible for players who wish to compete.
One of the founding members, Adam Russ, hosts the Thursday night league and is pleasantly surprised by the club’s recent growth.
“We originally started as a pickup game,” Russ says. “A lot of players wanted to play in certain tournaments, but there were limited spots.”
The Plastered Penguins organized players from around the area to give them more opportunities to play competitively.
“We’re still striving to be that close-knit community and ensuring that people have a place to play,” Russ says.
With its growing membership, the league is now one of Indiana’s largest beer league organizations. This league of players with diverse skill levels offers an opportunity for people to play hockey casually or competitively, and the coed league welcomes players of all abilities.
“It’s a community with various groups and interests,” Harter says. “We are not exclusive. You can be as involved or as little involved as you want.”
Inclusivity and accessibility are a common thread that unites the Penguins. Both men and women make up the team, and the group strives to lower barriers to make hockey more accessible.
The team established a Penguin Assistance Fund, where players can donate money to help new players acquire the necessary equipment to play.
“We have so many different people with different backgrounds, social backgrounds,” Harter says. “If you need something, there’s someone who can help you.”
Want to get involved? The Penguins have a draft league that plays at the Carmel Ice Skadium every Thursday and host games on Sundays at the Indy Fuel Tank.
Find out about upcoming games and how to join by following the Plastered Penguins on Instagram at instagram.com/plasteredhockey.
