April 14, 2009
© The Phoenix Coyotes

The Phoenix Coyotes announced today that Coyotes defenseman Keith Yandle, forward Daniel Winnik and Radio Color Analyst Tyson Nash will join current NFL stars and former MLB and NBA stars in a benefit basketball game to raise funds for HIV/AIDS relief in Malawi, Africa. The Assist4Africa Celebrity Basketball Game, presented by Lawns by Les, will take place at 3 p.m., on Sunday at the US Airways Center.

Yandle, 22, recorded 4-26-30 and 37 penalty minutes (PIM) in 69 games with the Coyotes this season. He also registered career highs in games played (69), assists (26) and points (30). A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Yandle was drafted by the Coyotes in the fourth round (105th overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

Winnik, 24, recorded 3-4-7 and 63 PIM in 49 games for the Coyotes this season. Last season, Winnik registered 11-15-26 and 25 PIM in 79 games as a rookie for the Coyotes. A native of Toronto, Ont., Winnik played three years of collegiate hockey at the University of New Hampshire from 2003-2006, recording 37-58-95 in 119 games. Winnik was originally drafted by the Coyotes in the ninth round (265th overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Nash completed his first season as Coyotes radio color analyst in the broadcast booth. The 33-year-old Nash played seven seasons in the NHL with St. Louis and Phoenix, recording 27-37-64 and 673 PIM in 374 games. He played for the Coyotes during the 2003-04 and 2005-06 seasons and was the recipient of the team’s Man of the Year Award in 2004 for his involvement in the Phoenix community. Nash, a native of Edmonton, Alberta, had a standout junior hockey career with the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League (WHL) where he was a teammate of Coyotes Captain Shane Doan. Nash and Doan helped lead Kamloops to back-to-back Memorial Cup Championships in 1994 and 1995.

Larry Fitzgerald and Kurt Warner will host other current NFL players, former NBA and MLB players plus local radio and television celebrities. Those confirmed are Arizona Cardinals players Larry Fitzgerald, Kurt Warner, Steve Breaston, Early Doucet, Mike Adams, Baltimore Ravens’ Terrell Suggs and former Arizona Diamondbacks players Quinton McCracken and Royce Clayton as well as former Phoenix Suns players Dan Majerle, Eddie Johnson, Cedric Ceballos, Tom Chambers and Mark West.

Tickets are just $15.00 for adult general admission with reserved courtside seating starting at $30.00. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com. Discounted tickets may also be purchased at any Buffalo Wild Wings Restaurant.

In addition, fans have the opportunity to participate in an eBay auction for a spot as an honorary coach or a playing spot on Team Warner or Team Fitzgerald. Auctions will begin April 10th and end April 17th. Links will be available at that time at www.Assist4Africa.com.