TREBLE-WINNING Nottingham Panthers are to auction off three special shirts to raise money in memory of the six Philpott children killed in a house fire.
The club will hold its traditional end-of-season shirt auction tonight at the National Ice Centre.
Three special shirts, including one Panthers jersey signed by NHL legend and multi-Stanley Cup winner Jari Kurri, will be sold off in aid of the Osmaston Community Association of Residents (OSCAR).
The group is raising money in memory of the children killed by their parents Mick and Mairead Philpott, and their friend Paul Mosley.
The trio were last week convicted and sentenced for the manslaughter of Jade Philpott, 10, Duwayne, 13, John, nine, Jack, eight, Jesse, six, and Jayden, five, after starting a fire at the house in Victory Road, Allenton, Derby, on May 11, 2012.
Panthers' general manager Gary Moran said: "We were looking where we could put the money from the three charity auction shirts, and decided to send it to the community group which is raising money in memory of the kids.
"It's traditional in ice hockey to sell off game-worn and used shirts to fans, but we have three special ones. Jari Kurri is an NHL legend. He's the biggest ice hockey player to ever visit us in Nottingham."
Mr Kurri signed a shirt while a guest at the Panthers' game with Belfast Giants last year.
As well as that signed jersey, a Panthers warm-up shirt worn by NHL player Anthony Stewart, and a shirt from Italian side Asiago who Panthers played in pre-season last September, will also be auctioned.
Mr Moran said: "They are all very much collectors' items. They are shirts from the start of this season, which turned out to be the most successful in our history."
Panthers netminder Craig Kowalski and head coach Corey Neilson will help at the big shirt auction, which will take place in the arena's Bolero Suite from 7.30pm.
A host of other shirts will also be auctioned off in aid of the club.
They include the special red Panthers shirts worn in the second leg of the Challenge Cup Final against Sheffield Steelers last week.
Anyone who wants to leave a reserve bid should call the office with their details on 0115 941 3103 or e-mail info@panthers.co.uk.