Hundreds of people gathered at the Chevy Centre in Downtown Youngstown this afternoon to help a former Youngstown Steelhounds hockey player.

Jason Baird was the former Youngstown Steelhounds Player that was injured in a lawnmower explosion back in July. Today former teammates and fans got together to raise money to help pay for some of the mounting medical bills.

The ice at the Chevrolet Centre Sunday afternoon looked like an NHL arena. Former stars of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers, even a current player from the New Jersey Devils, all coming together to help Jason Baird.

"THEY READ THE STORY AND THEY FELT LIKE THEY HAD TO DO SOMETHING. THAT'S WHAT I THINK THE HOCKEY COMMUNITY, IT SHOWS WHAT KIND OF GOOD PEOPLE HOCKEY PEOPLE ARE. TO COME OUT AND REACH DOWN FROM THEIR HEARTS."--Kevin Kaminski Former Youngstown Steelhounds Coach

In July, a lawnmower Jason was riding exploded, leaving him with burns to more than half of his body. Former Steelhounds Coach Kevin Kaminski heard about the tragedy that struck the Baird family, and started calling former teammates and friends from his playing days in the NHL asking them to come to Youngstown and help out.

"WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS IN THE HOCKEY COMMUNITY, AND A FORMER PLAYER, YOU KNOW, I FELT LIKE SOMETHING NEEDED TO BE DONE. OBVIOUSLY HE'S GOING THROUGH A LOT OF PAIN AND FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES."--Kevin Kaminski Former Youngstown Steelhounds Coach

The Youngstown Steelhounds Booster Club helped organize the event, holding a Chinese auction and 50/50 raffle, along with other activities, all to help Jason with his mounting medical bills.

"THIS WAS JUST A WAY FOR US TO PULL TOGETHER, AND SHOW OUR SUPPORT FOR JASON AND HIS FAMILY. IT'S TURNED OUT HUGE, A LOT OF PEOPLE WANTED TO HELP. WE HAVE STUFF FROM A LOT OF LOCAL BUSINESSES AND EVERYONE IS REALLY STEPPING UP."--Heather Machel Youngstown Steelhounds Booster Club

As for Jason's condition, I'm told he was actually up taking some steps last week. He remains in an Akron Hospital recovering from the accident. His wife keeps a blog on his progress, You can find that by going to our website and clicking on links and Jason Baird Update.