A two-day celebration of Canada's national pastime resulted in a big payoff to help fight cancer.
The long-awaited Play For a Cure fundraiser returned on April 7 and 8 to the Vollmer Complex in LaSalle, attracting hundreds of hockey players and coaches, plus former NHL and Olympic players. With the total income figured into the event, organizers announced on Monday that $400,196 was raised for cancer research.
"We could not be more grateful to our sponsors, players, volunteers, and committee for their continued support," read a release from the organizers.
The first night of the event featured a "draft" in which each team of players was invited to bring an NHL alum to their squad for the following day's competitions. Then, legendary "Hockey Night in Canada" host Ron MacLean held interview sessions with Stanley Cup winners Tim Taylor and Mike Krushelynyski, retired Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Al Iafrate, and Hall of Fame defenceman Paul Coffey.
The next day, the teams competed. Events included a shootout with former NHL goalies Marty Turco and Michael Leighton. The fundraiser was capped with the 22 highest-performing fundraisers playing hockey with NHL alumni, including Taylor, Coffey, Derian Hatcher, Nik Antropov, Rick Vaive, Adam Graves, two-time Team USA women's silver medalist Megan Bozek, and others.
Graves, a winger who had played with the Leafs and Detroit Red Wings, praised the participants for their efforts to wipe out cancer.
"[I'm] so proud to be part of such a well-organized event that contributes to cancer research. The impact of this event goes beyond the financial contribution, and that is something to be proud of," said Graves.
Vaive added, "It was the best charity tournament that he has been to in some time and that the funds raised were amazing for cancer research."
All proceeds from Play For a Cure go to the Cancer Research Collaboration Fund, in partnership with the WindsorEssex Community Foundation.
