Thirteen teams, and over 200 players are expected to hit the ice at the Gale Centre in Niagara Falls on Friday, after Thursday’s night draft in which players and teams involved try and outbid each other for the right to draft their favorite former NHLer. Pictured: Wendel Clark. Photo Credit: NHL.com.
Thirteen former NHL players will be back in town this week to help raise money for the Hotel Dieu Shaver Hospital – Niagara’s only specialty rehabilitation hospital.
The 8th Annual Hotel Dieu Shaver Celebrity Ice Cup is a two-day event starting with the draft Thursday night, followed by an all-day on-ice event Friday.
Over $263,000 was raised in 2023, and Executive Director of the Hotel Dieu Shaver Foundation Tracy Geoffroy is hoping to raise at least $200,000 in 2024.
“The players who participate in the tournament – raising funds and awareness for Hotel Dieu Shaver – are the real MVPs of the event,” said Geoffroy. “The funds raised by the players ensure HDS is equipped with the most up-to-date tools available to care for patients across Niagara.”
As of press time, over $132,000 had been raised thus far for this year’s tournament.
Thirteen teams, and over 200 players are expected to hit the ice at the Gale Centre in Niagara Falls on Friday, after Thursday’s night draft in which players and teams involved try and outbid each other for the right to draft their favorite former NHLer.
The 13 former NHLers include many returnees including fan favorite, and former Toronto Maple Leafs captain, Wendel Clark.
Dave Ellett, Mike Krushelnyski, Jeremy Roenick, Darcy Tucker, Mike Zigomanis, Todd Gill, Brian McGrattan, Dave McLlwain, Anthony Stewart, Brad May, Tom Fergus and Wayne Primeau join Clark.
Anthony Stewart, who recently joined the Niagara Sports Report on Newstalk 610 CKTB, is a former first round NHL pick and realizes the importance of playing in charity tournaments.
“Anytime you put the (hockey) gear on for a great cause like this, and play with ex-(NHL) Alumni, it’s going to be fun but more importantly we’re doing it for a great cause,” Stewart said.
Friday’s tournament is free and open to the public.
Teams will play between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., with the top individual fundraiser from each team playing against the NHLers in an all-star game at 12 noon.
The Fallsview Casino Resort is the tournament sponsor.
For more information visit: https://hdsfoundation.akaraisin.com/ui/2024CelebrityIceCup/nhlers
“We have so many talented people at the hospital that need the most up to date equipment to work with, and we rely on the donors, we rely on event participants, and supporters to provide that equipment,” added Geoffroy.
“People don’t realize something as simple as a bed and a mattress are not funded by the government, so we really rely on community support for that, and events like the Celebrity Ice Cup goes a long way in helping with everything needed.”
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.
