Easter Seal representatives Luke (orange hat) 19 and Zane (17) Braun of Whitechurch, with Olivia Little of Saugeen Shores, dropped the ceremonial puck before the all-star versus top fundraisers match-up October 29 at the Plex, all a part of the Easter Seals Huron-Bruce Celebrity Hockey Classic.

Hub Staff

Hockey legends and local players came together October 29 to play hockey for the kids at the Plex in Port Elgin, a part of Easter Seals’ Huron-Bruce Celebrity Hockey Classic, now in its second year.

The fundraising event, which featured eight locals teams, each including one drafted former NHL Alumni, saw each team take to the ice for two games. As of publishing time the event had not reached the fundraising goal of $100,000, with the total raised only sitting at $31,878. The top fundraising teams were Meridian with $8,226.00, Bruce Wings with $6,361.00 and the Queens with $5,110.00.

Development Manager for Easter Seals Ontario, Charlene Myke said before the tournament she knew that they would be short on raising money for their goal, however for the next three weeks anyone can still donate to a player online. “We had eight teams but some of the teams came in at the last minute so they really didn't have time to fundraise. The problem with that is as most business people will understand, your hard cost are already done,” said Myke.

Some players in the tournament didn’t fundraise at all. However, the top fundraisers from each team did get the chance to play against NHL greats such as Rick Vaive, Dennis Maruk, Tom Fergus, Kraig Nienhuis, Al Iafrate, Ric Nattress, Mark Laforest and Mike Krushelnyski.

Bry Zorzi from the Queens team raised $900 for the Easter Seals tournament and was the only local player drafted to play on the NHL Alumni team against the top local fundraiser during the “All-star” game. Zorzi played defence for the alumni team and said the experience was amazing.

Of the weekend, Zorzi said, “It turned a sport so many of us enjoy into something that can help young children. Playing the NHLers isn't explainable. Hanging out with them and taking plays on how to make the game more enjoyable was unreal,” said Zorzi.

The weekend began with the Skate with the Greats event on Friday, October 28, which followed with a draft party at the Queen’s Bar and Grill, where top fundraising teams received first draft picks of their alumni teammates.

“Everybody had a great time at the Queens,” said Myke. “I think the hockey issecondary, I think the draft party is the number one”.

Myke said that next year they will have to focus more on getting teams together and fundraising sooner. “We don’t have room to fail at Easter Seals, we don’t have room to not deliver. I have kids that need stuff, there’s no room for ‘I'm sorry it didn't happen’. Mykes went on to say that she doesn’t want to move the Hockey Classic to another location because she knows how caring the Saugeen Shores community is. “I see signs around town for different kids that are needing things and I know this community looks after their own and our Easter Seal kids are here too and that’s why we come here to do it.”

Money raised for Easter Seals events goes towards purchasing new equipment for children with disabilities and allowing them to go to a ten-day accessible Woodeden Camp. Easter Seals kids Zane and Luke Braun from Whitechurch, who have been going to the camp for many years, dropped the ceremonial puck alongside Olivia Little before the all-star game. Myke said in an earlier interview that only 3 percent of what is raised at Easter Seals events goes to administrative costs, the rest goes back to the children.

NHL Alumni Rick Vaive, Tom Fergus, Ric Nattress and Mark Laforest stand at attention for O’ Canada which was sung by NHLer Kraig Nienhuis.

The ladies of the Queen’s Bar and Grill team with NHL Alumni player Kraig Nienhuis, during the Huron-Bruce Celebrity Hockey Classic October 29.

Bry Zorzi was drafted to play on the NHL Alumni team during the all-star game October 29. The alumni team beat the top fundraisers 4-3.

The Shanaplans who drafted NHLer Dennis Maruk got one past Benchwarmers’ goalie Bryanna Cobean during the Huron-Bruce Celerity Hockey Tournament October 29.

Tyler Bowman from DeCoppel’s Dream Team took a shot at net when they played the Queen’s. DeCoppel raised $4,721 for Easter Seals and came out victorious in both tournament games.

Teddy Bears were flung during the Teddy Bear toss during the Huron-Bruce Celebrity Hockey Classic at the Plex October 29.