More big names added for annual Hockey Night in Barrie fundraiser
The roster for the fifth annual Hockey Night in Barrie keeps getting bigger and better as hockey fans look forward to a night of fundraising while enjoying Canada’s favourite pastime.
Barrie MP Patrick Brown announced this week that 2011 NHL MVP Corey Perry will be joining the charity game with fellow NHL icons Doug Gilmour, Dale Hawerchuk, Shayne Corson, Darcy Tucker, Bryan Little and others.
“Perry is one of the most prolific goal scorers in the NHL. He was recently awarded the Hart Trophy for being the most valuable player of the 2010-11 season and also won gold for Canada in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. The addition of Perry makes this year’s roster the best we have ever had”, Brown said. “It’s really incredible.”
Participants are volunteering to help raise money for the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre’s Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre.
Canadian broadcast legend Don Cherry and his Hockey Night in Canada co-host Ron MacLean will be at the event to help raise money as Cherry has signed on as coach and MacLean set to lace up for some in-game action.
Cherry has participated in the event before and is a proud supporter of cancer research.
“Don knows the fight against cancer firsthand,” Brown said. “Too many Canadian families have been touched by the heartbreak of cancer, whether it is through a personal experience, a family member or a friend. Don lost the love of his life, Rose, after a very difficult battle with cancer.”
The charity game will raise money for the cancer care centre at Barrie’s hospital and Brown said he appreciates Cherry’s continued support.
The iconic Cherry-MacLean duo will join the charity game alongside assistant coach and former NHLer Eddie ‘The Entertainer’ Shack and Connor McDavid, an OHL first overall draft pick this summer.
“It goes to show the calibre of this game has grown and I think is recognized across the country as the largest charity hockey game from coast to coast,” Brown said.
“Even in a charity hockey game, these guys never lose their competitive spirit and the fans in Barrie are going to see some good hockey,” the MP added.
Fans will see a fast-paced game, which Brown said will be entertaining considering the roster consists mainly of current NHL players and alumni.
Mike Gartner, Raffi Torres, Steve Downie and Matt Beleskey will round out the roster of players fans will get to see when they hit the ice at the Barrie Molson Centre on Aug. 16.
“I can tell you that this is our best roster in five years,” Brown said. “I imagine we’re going to see some pretty top-notch hockey.”
Cherry played three seasons with the Barrie Flyers in the early 1950s before going on to play a long minor-pro career in the American Hockey League.
He would later make the transition to the NHL where he went on to receive the Jack Adams award for coach of the year with the Boston Bruins in 1976. The team was 48-15-17 that season, but lost in the semifinals.
“Having Ron MacLean and Don Cherry confirmed for Hockey Night in Barrie is just unbelievable. They are two Canadians and just dynamic together,” Brown said. “They will be very entertaining.”
Canadian actor, comedian and songwriter Alan Thicke and Canadian figure skater Kurt Browning will also be on hand for the event.
“Every single hockey player playing and every single celebrity and participant is coming to the game as a volunteer,” Brown said. “It’s a great night for family and it’s certainly going to be entertaining.”
Tickets are still available at Ticketpro.ca or at Brown’s office located at 299 Lakeshore Dr., Suite 200, but may not last too much longer, Brown said.
“This will be something hockey fans and non hockey fans will like,” he said. “Ticket sales are going very well and we certainly expect this will be a sold out event.”
For more information, visit www.hockeynightinbarrie.com.
