After the success of the Boston Bruins alumni game earlier this year, former Toronto Maple Leafs are next in line to come to Red Deer.
A 2020 Legends of Toronto hockey game will be played at the Centrium March 15, in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Boys and Girls Club of Red Deer and District.
“There are a lot of Leaf fans (in central Alberta). They’re all hiding under the rug somewhere. They’ll come out of the woodwork real soon here,” said David Foster, event organizer.
The team comprised of former Leafs will include Al Iafrate, Colton Orr and goaltender Andrew Raycroft, a former Calder Memorial Trophy winner who at one point held the franchise record for wins in a season.
The ex-Leafs will take on the Red Deer Dream Team, which is filled with members of the community who will each raise $1,000.
Foster said “it just makes sense” to partner with Youth HQ, which operates both Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Boys and Girls Club.
“The kids in our community are our future,” he said.
“We can support their programs and … hopefully show them by doing this that we’re mentoring them and (giving) back. It’s a great feeling – it’s a lot of work, but it’s a great feeling.”
Meagan Parisian, Youth HQ marketing and communications specialist, said without community support “we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.
“We right now are in a time where money is tight for not-for-profit organizations. To be able to have the opportunity to put on an event like this in a venue like the Westerner Park Centrium is absolutely phenomenal,” said Parisian.
“Anything we can do to bolster support for the programs and the youth that we serve – we definitely want to be able to engage the community and do that.”
Brian Sutter, a former NHL player and NHL head coach, and current Innisfail Eagles coach, will coach the Legends of Toronto team.
“I’ll be standing there,” he joked.
Sutter said he wanted to be involved to help support Youth HQ.
“You talk to the folks that are working in here and help run this building and all the organizations that come out of here – it’s pretty darn special,” he said.
“Our kids are our future. Not everybody has what they want, or what they need, most importantly. That’s what this is for, to help them get along in life.”
Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketsalberta.com. For more information, visit www.legendsoftoronto.ca.
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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