NHL coach raises $31K for Hurricane Harvey relief

St. Louis Blues coach Mike Yeo has raised $31K for Hurricane Harvey relief through a charity auction.

Yeo played five years for the IHL's Houston Aeros from 1994 until 1999. Yeo also spent one season as the head coach of the Aeros in the 2010-11 season, when he guided Houston to an appearance in the AHL's Calder Cup Finals.

"These aren't just places you just work," Yeo told NHL.com. "They end up becoming your home and you end up having an attachment to the city and to the area. Obviously, we met some great friends in Houston and that's where I started my pro career. It was tough to see the devastation and see what people are going through down there."

Because of his personal connection to Houston, Yeo organized an online auction at stlouisblues.com to help raise money for flood relief efforts of the American Red Cross. Fans bid on Blues experiences and even personal items from Yeo - including his game-worn Winter Classic coaches jacket. Fans were also able to make monetary donations to help with flood relief.

Some of the other items included a road trip for two to see the Blues battle Dallas on the road on Dec. 28 and a one-hour youth hockey practice session coached by Yeo.

"Watching and seeing what was going on down there, if there was something I could do in any way to help, I felt like that's what I needed to do," Yeo said. "You're seeing people all around the United States doing this right now, and whether it's a small amount or an enormous amount like J.J. Watt is organizing, everything is huge to the people down there."