ANN ARBOR, Mich. - USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program raised over $4,100 to benefit C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, Mich., after auctioning off specially designed Star Wars jerseys. The U.S. National Under-18 Team wore the jerseys during its annual Star Wars Night at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube on Jan. 18.

“The Star Wars Jersey auction was a huge success,” said Scott Monaghan, senior director of operations for the NTDP. “Not only were we able to provide our fans with the opportunity to purchase game-worn jerseys, but also raise money to support a local children’s hospital. It has been a great experience and the NTDP is looking forward to raising even more money next year.”

All proceeds raised during the auction benefit C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, Mich. C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital is a part of the University of Michigan Hospital and Health Centers and is consistently ranked as the nation’s top pediatric hospitals.

Among the 26 jerseys in the auction where those of fourteen current Under-18 Team players that were tabbed in NHL Central Scouting's midterm ranking of players eligible for the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, including Team USA's top-ranked skater Sonny Milano (Massapequa, N.Y.). In addition, Jack Eichel (North Chelmsford, Mass.) is projected to be a top pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

The auction ran from Jan. 27 – Feb. 13 and was supported by the MeiGray Group, the exclusive game-worn source of USA Hockey since 2010. The MeiGray Group is the world’s leading authenticator of, and source for, game-worn hockey jerseys. The Branchburg, N.J., company is authenticating partners with the National Hockey League, nine of the 30 NHL teams and the ECHL. MeiGray has authenticated and sold nearly 100,000 game-worn hockey jerseys since it was founded in 1997.

Team USA and C.S. Mott Children's Hospital would like to sincerely thank all those who bid. The money raised will go a long way to helping make a difference in a young child's life.