From the pioneering efforts of Jim Dowd to the recent successes of James and Trevor van Riemsdyk, the Jersey Shore has emerged as a hotbed of ice hockey talent, and the Asbury Park Press and APP.com is proud to honor the local hockey community by announcing its inaugural Asbury Park Press Hockey Classic.

Presented by Trinity Financial Sports & Entertainment Management, and hosted by Middletown Ice World, the Asbury Park Press invites fans to join the festivities at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23 for this fundraising all-star event, which will feature 42 of the top high school skaters from Monmouth and Ocean County.

Tickets for the game are $10 and will be available at Middletown Ice World on the day of the event, which will feature the all-star game, a charity raffle, and appearances from former NHL players like Grant Marshall of the New Jersey Devils and Nicholas Fotiu of the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers.

“It’s a privilege and an honor to play in a game like this with all the best guys from the area,” Red Bank Catholic captain Todd Goehring said. “Getting a chance to have all the guys from high school back together one last time is an experience I’m looking forward to, and one that’s not really provided to other guys around the state.”

This collection of Shore all-star players will compete in a charitable game to help raise money and awareness for the JBJ Soul Kitchen, a community-based nonprofit program operated by the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, which has dining locations in Red Bank and Toms River.

“There’s nothing better than being able to give back to your community by doing something you love,” Middletown North captain Tom Terranova said. “Helping people, helping our communities — it’s the best, because we wouldn’t be where we are without those around us.”

The JBJ Soul Kitchen will be the beneficiary of a charity raffle held at the APP All-Star Hockey Classic with 100 percent of proceeds going to the program. Raffle items will include autographed memorabilia and other prizes.

A portion of funds raised by ticket and program sales will also be donated to the JBJ Soul Kitchen.

The JBJ Soul Kitchen was established in 2011 by Garden State rocker and philanthropist Jon Bon Jovi, and founded on the idea that no one should be without a hot and nutritious meal, regardless of their financial situation. With that notion in mind, the JBJ Soul Kitchen’s menu has no prices, instead asking its customer to pay a minimum donation, or to volunteer their time in exchange for a meal.

“We get excited to play in events like this,” CBA captain Greg Malafronte said. “Not only do we get to do what we love in front of a great crowd, but we get to support a great cause as well … It’s more important and meaningful than just a hockey game.”

Stay with the Press and APP.com in the upcoming weeks for more information, including roster and coaching staff announcements. If you are interested in getting involved in the inaugural Asbury Park Press Hockey Classic, contact hockey beat writer Chris Rotolo at crotolo@gannettnj.com.