The Note

Hockey team to Celebrate Blago with Prison Uniforms

December 15, 2008 6:18 PM

ABC News' Matt Jaffe reports: Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich might be spending some time in the slammer soon after being charged with attempting to sell President-elect Barack Obama's former U.S. Senate seat.

For the Las Vegas Wranglers, apparently that's something to celebrate.

The minor-league hockey team has announced Gov. Rod Blagojevich Prison Uniform Night in honor of the embattled Illinois governor.

On January 30, the Wranglers will don vintage prison uniforms for their game against the Victoria Salmon Kings, as well as auction off a seat between the two teams' benches to the highest bidder.

Last Tuesday, Blagojevich was charged with attempting to sell off Obama's vacant Senate seat.

The Wranglers' special unis will have thick, horizontal black and white stripes, complete with a prison issue number starting with "ILLGOV".

"Over the years we've asked our players to not look so tough for a cause," recalled team president Billy Johnson, citing one game when the players were taunted for wearing pink uniforms for cancer research.

"We owe them a game of looking a little more sketchy," he said. "G-Rod helps us with that."

And the Wranglers are doing it all for a good cause.

After the game, the players' jerseys will be signed and auctioned off, with the proceeds going to the team's charitable efforts.

Blagojevich's office had no comment.

This is not the first time the Wranglers have seized a national story for a team promotional event.

Years ago the Las Vegas ECHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames, held Dick Cheney Hunting Vest Night after the Vice President's infamous shooting mishap.