THUNDER BAY – Wendel Clark will be back in Thunder Bay this fall, and he’s bringing a bunch of his hockey-playing friends.
Clark is the marquee former NHLer taking part in the second annual Celebrity Hockey Classic in support of Easter Seals Ontario, an event that last year drew the likes of former first-round pick Al Iafrate and one-time 60-goal scorer Dennis Maruk to the Tournament Centre.
The event pairs one NHL alumni player with a team of local scrub players, who are guaranteed at least three games in the fundraising tournament.
The team that raises the most money gets first choice in the draft, held the night before the event begins.
Banker Brent Hagberg, whose team raised $8,500 last year, on Tuesday said his squad is aiming for the No. 1 spot in 2018.
“It’s a childhood dream of mine to play with Wendel Clark. Unfortunately last year we weren’t the top fundraiser, so we weren’t able to get that, but we did get to play with Al Iafrate, which was a fantastic time,” Hagberg said.
The crop of ex-NHLers coming to this year’s event will be revealed as teams sign up, though former Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings winger Mathieu Dandenault, a 13-year veteran, has committed to play in the tournament.
Clark said he’s thrilled to be returning for a second straight year.
“I truly enjoyed participating in the Easter Seals Celebrity Hockey Classic last year in Thunder Bay and glad to say I will be there again,” the former No. 1 overall draft pick said in a statement.
Easter Seals Ontario senior development officer Rhonda Harrison said the Celebrity Hockey Classic, which replaced the popular Drop Zone event as one of their top fundraisers of the year, said it was a huge hit in Year 1.
But there’s always room for more, she said.
“We had an amazing turnout last year. The people who came had a great time and we’re so excited and seeing a lot of support for this year,” Harrison said at a news conference, held at the Sleeping Giant Brewery, where the exclusive draft party will be held.
“We’re hoping to grow the event and have even more people out there, some more teams and have a lot more fun.”
Registration is $1,500 per team and each player must raise a minimum of $400. The money is used to help Ontario children with disabilities, including more than 150 in Northwestern Ontario, live more independent lives.
For more information, visit www.CelebrityHockeyClassics.com or www.easterseals.org.
