Victims assistance groups from across Rocky View County are about to get another much-needed financial infusion.
Wild Rose MP Blake Richards has formalized plans for his third annual Wild Rose Challenge Charity Hockey Game, to be played Aug. 27 at the Spray Lakes Sawmills Family Sports Centre in Cochrane.
The format will see federal politicians squaring off against provincial politicians, with several current and former NHL players added to each roster.
The game has raised $34,000 in its first two years, but has surpassed that amount this year.
“The game supports the many victims of crime, disaster and tragedy who are served by Cochrane and Area Victim Services, Airdrie and District Victim Assistance Society, the Chinook Arch Victim Services and the Bow Valley Victims Services Association,” Richards said.
“We’re pretty excited to have the game again this year. We’re expecting it to be another record-breaking year and we have a great bunch of NHL alumni and lots of politicians. It should be a good show all around.”
Highlighting the professional hockey player contingent are Calgary Flames’ alumni Sheldon Kennedy and Dwayne Hay, Airdrie’s Zach Boychuk of the Carolina Hurricanes and Jason Jaffray of Rimbey and the Winnipeg Jets.
The high-profile national politicians include Minister of National Defence Peter Mackay, Denis Lebel, minister of transport, infrastructure and communities, and senator Patrick Brazeau.
Several Alberta cabinet ministers, and MLAs, as well as area mayors and councillors will also suit up. They include Airdrie Mayor Peter Brown and Crossfield Mayor Nathan Anderson.
“It’s a great opportunity to rub shoulders with MPs, MLAs, mayors and several former and current NHL players in a fun atmosphere,” Richards said. “They are all very supportive of the event.
The event was held in Airdrie for its first two years, but Richards said he always planned to move it around and provide people with the chance to see the politicians and the professionals play each other for a good fundraiser.
“Ever since we started this event, we’ve had the vision of moving it around the constituency,” he said.
“We’ll probably move it again next year. I knew it would get bigger each year and we’re raising more than double from where we started. I’m really happy that we are able to help the area victims assistance groups the way we do.”
Following the game, there will be a silent auction and an opportunity to meet the players.
There is also an auction on the game’s website at www.wildrosehockey.com for two available roster spots to play in the game.
Updated rosters, information on the silent auction items and ticket information is on the website as well. In addition, tickets, which are $10, are available at the Spray Lakes Sawmills Family Sports Centre and at local Bow Valley Credit Union locations.
Doors open at noon on Aug. 27 and puck drop for the game is set for 1:45 p.m.
