By Patrick H. Brown

So, you’ve probably heard that old phrase “I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out.” That joke usually accurately describes the knockdown, drag-out viciousness of old time NHL events. However, for guests at a Jan. 5th green-energy happening, a fascinating sustainable energy discussion broke out at a hockey event.

Hosted at the exclusive and lavishly appointed EMC Club, high up in Fenway Park, the event was, at first glance, a tad odd. After all, why would the National Hockey League sponsor a panel discussion titled: “Sustainable Success: A Discussion on Business and the Environment”? The answer was actually delivered as directly and potently as a slapshot into a goal by a group of scientists, corporate and organizational leaders, professors, and athletes.

The panel was, to say the least, impressive. The speakers included Professor John Sterman, of the MIT Sloan School of Management, or Allen Hershkowitz, senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council. Joining those two gentlemen were Kathrin Winkler, chief sustainability officer at EMC Corp, Fred Krupp, president of the Environmental Defense Fund, and Mike Richter, the legendary goalie who helped the U.S. team win silver in the 2002 Olympics and who lead the New York Rangers to a Stanley Cup victory in 1994. Moderating the whole show was the witty New York Times columnist, David Brooks. Of course, where would an NHL event hosted at the Winter Classic venue be without the commissioner of the entire NHL, Gary Bettman played host. (more…)