Vancouver Canucks alumni Cliff Ronning, Dave Babych, Darcy Rota, Jack McIlhargey and Garry Valk will relive their glory days at the second annual Richmond Celebrates Hockey Day on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Richmond Olympic Oval.
Ronning, Valk, and Babych will lead the Vancouver Canucks Alumni as they hit the ice to take on the Richmond Sockeyes Alumni. Additional Canuck alumni participants will be announced in the coming weeks. Game time is 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 9. Tickets are $15 and are available at www.brownpapertickets.com or at the door. Partial proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Richmond Kidsport.
“All things hockey under one roof” is the theme for Richmond Celebrates Hockey Day, a day-long festival of every hockey activity imaginable under the Oval’s iconic, 2-hectare (6.5 acre) pine-wood roof. All activities are free with the exception of the Canucks Alumni game. Donations of non-perishable food items for the Richmond Food Bank will be collected at the event.
Back for an encore performance is the popular Celebrity Ball Hockey Game featuring a mix of notable athletes, media personalities and members of Richmond City Council. Former Canucks stars Darcy Rota and Jack McIlhargey will be among the participants.
A special appearance by Hockey Hall of Famer Guy Lafleur headlines this year’s event. One of the most exciting and outstanding players of his era, Lafleur led the Montreal Canadiens to five Stanley Cup victories and won numerous individual National Hockey League awards and other accolades. In addition to playing in the Celebrity Ball Hockey game, Lafleur will participate in a public autograph signing session and other activities.
For the second straight year, the current Richmond Sockeyes will take to the Oval ice for a Pacific International Junior Hockey League game, taking on the Aldergrove Kodiaks in a matinee match-up.
Other highlights include :
•Appearances and autograph signings by a number NHL legends and special appearances by popular Canucks mascot Fin, Peter Puck and the Green Men.
•Performances by the popular Vancouver Canucks house band and Canadian rock/pop stars Odds.
•Numerous merchandise giveaways, prize draws and fun contests, including chance to win a trip for two to Japan, courtesy of Japan Airlines.
•Hockey market place with more than 40 booths featuring collectibles, memorabilia and more.
•Live on broadcast of Team 1040’s Sports Saturday show hosted by Bob “The Moj” Marjanovich.
•Fun, interactive and informative hockey memorabilia displays from the BC Sports Hall of Fame.
•An interactive fun zone where fans can test their shooting and other hockey skills; mini-hockey for kids.
•A chance to test your skills in table hockey, air hockey, electronic hockey games and more.
Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada is being celebrated across Canada on February 9 and Richmond is proud to join in celebrating Canada’s number one passion.
Richmond Celebrates Hockey Day runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on February 9 at the Richmond Olympic Oval. For more information visit www.richmondoval.ca/hockeyday