THUNDER BAY – Bobby Orr says he wouldn’t keep coming back to the Staal Foundation Open if he didn’t believe in the cause.
And it’s a lot of fun, said the legendary defenceman, a hall-of-famer routinely lumped in the top 5 National Hockey League players of all-time.
Monday marked Orr’s third straight visit to the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada event, which kicks off with the Fountain Tire Summer Classic epic road hockey game, No. 4 coaching Team Staal Black in the popular second-year event.
“I have such great respect for the Staal family and the work that they do up here. They’re people who don’t forget the people in their community. They don’t forget how good people have been to them up here in Thunder Bay,” Orr said.
“They just don’t lend their names. They’re up here an d they’re working. I just love the family, love the cause and I’m thrilled to be back.”
Though his infamous knees, subject to numerous surgeries that cut short his remarkable playing career with the Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks, won’t allow him to play in the Summer Classic, Orr said he was only too happy to step behind the bench and guide his team, that includes the likes of Jordan and Jared Staal, Windsor Spitfires coach Trevor Letowski and hall-of-famer Grant Fuhr.
“It’ll be great fun. If you look at the people that are taking part in the hockey game and the golf tournament, there’s a lot of people here. It’s a great place to come and everyone is thrilled to be back,” Orr said.
“Have you walked through down here? With all the kids and the dancers and the music’s going, it really is a wonderful event. And talking with some of the pros, this is their favourite event.”
