It was a night of fun for everyone. No pressure, no scouts and no agents looking at a possible trade. Arriving early for the 7 pm face-off was needed if for nothing else finding a parking spot in the parkade.
The reasonable $10.00 charged was worth the price of admission just to watch the pro’s mix it up with the UBC T-Birds. The event sold out in 20 minutes and of course we had to see scalpers making money off a charity event.
I was told that scalping tickets in Detroit is illegal and if caught they take the ticket, the money and haul you off to the slammer for the night. Not a bad idea for anyone who does not pay any taxes on this.
The highlight of the night was getting to chat it up with Michael Buble and his Wife. Michael and his wife are real down to earth people who are passionate about the sport, the community and of course – the cause.
Just prior to the face-off Michael choose to donate or give an additional $100,000 as he stated “this cause is near and dear to my heart and it goes to a great cause.” Thus the difference in dollar value on the cheque.
Although it wasn’t the type of game he was expecting to play in October, NHLPA member Kevin Bieksa can’t wait to get out on the ice for his upcoming charity event.
It’s only right the name of the game, set for October 17, has been dubbed Bieksa’s Buddies, one that will see several NHLPA members face-off against the UBC Thunderbirds.
Proceeds of the game, which takes place at UBC’s Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Arena, will go to Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, Canucks Autism Network and the Canucks Family Education Centre.
Bieksa, along with Henrik and Daniel Sedin, Dan Hamhuis, Manny Malhotra, Maxim Lapierre, Cory Schneider and Willie Mitchell are just some of the players who will be taking part.
For Bieksa, lending his time and support to the community is a privilege. Bieksa originally from Ontario stated “My family has been in Vancouver for eight years and this is our community.” He is passionate about giving back and it clearly showed when he was playing or just fooling around with the players.
He has played in 425 regular season games and it looks as tho he is set for another 425 games. “You look at the players on our team and you see a genuine dedication to make a difference. It’s never a question of being asked to do something.
It’s always guys stepping up and wanting to do it.” “Dan Hamhuis and his family recently gave a big cheque to Ronald McDonald House; the Sedins made a huge donation to BC Children’s Hospital and Manny Malhotra has been helping build playgrounds. Even though it won’t count in the standings, Bieksa is eager to lace up the skates in game action. “To be able to be out there and play some meaningful hockey, that’s going to be a great feeling,” said the veteran defenceman.
“It will be great to play in front of the fans, to feel that atmosphere.” Bieksa, like his fellow NHLPA members, is also hopeful he can get back on the ice to play in games that do count. “Our fans have done a lot for us,” he said. “We’re lucky. We have very loyal and passionate fans. They have high expectations and they give us a lot of inspiration.” “It was definitely a lot more work than I ever would have expected in putting something like this together,” he admitted. “The planning, the marketing, the meetings – it’s very involved. But everyone that is part of this has been on-board since we came up with the idea.
I’m grateful to have that support.” Bieksa, however, might not get the same support from one figure in particular when the puck drops on his charity game.
What there is, though, is a winning feeling for everyone who takes part and those who benefit from it.
We;re grateful to have him involved as a part of the community.
Extremely PROFESSIONAL IN EVERY ASPECT!!!
