Some of the NHL’s greatest players are coming to Yarmouth for a charity event. On April 7th, 2017 NHL Alumni will take on local players in a friendly game of hockey to help raise funds to support local cancer patients and their families.
“We’re excited that we’re able to bring these former NHL players to Yarmouth,” said Shelley LeBlanc, President of the Gary J. Surette Memorial Association, the Yarmouth-based group organizing the event. “It’s going to be a fun night of hockey.”
Confirmed NHL Alumni to participate in the charity event include Ray Bourque, Chris Nilan, Stephane Richer and Al Iafrate. An additional four or five NHL Alumni will be added to the roster by game day.
The puck is scheduled to be dropped at the Mariners Centre at 7:00 pm. General admission to the NHL Alumni game is $25, with pre-game VIP reception and intermission meet-and-greet packages available. Tickets are available through the Mariners Centre Box Office.
The Friday night NHL Alumni game kicks off a weekend of hockey organized in memory of Gary J. Surette. On Saturday and Sunday, 4 teams will compete in a round robin tournament, with the top two teams competing for the championship title.
An avid Boston Bruins fan, Gary was active in coaching hockey throughout the 1990’s and 2000’s. He and Brian “Sumo” Comeau coached kids at the Pee Wee A level (11-12 yrs), Bantam A and AA levels (13-14 yrs) and Midget A, AA, AAA and B levels (15-17 yrs), and were joined by Allan Surette at the Bantam AAA level. In December, 2015 Gary passed away as a result of melanoma — skin cancer — having spread to his brain.
The association anticipates that many of the players participating in the tournament portion of the weekend would have been coached by Gary.
Proceeds from the weekend’s tournament will be donated to the Gilles Boudreau and Friends Cancer Help Fund, a Yarmouth-based organization, as well as The Lodge That Gives in Halifax. Both organizations were very supportive and caring during Gary’s brief battle with cancer.
“Gary was an avid hockey fan, and we’re happy that we’re able to honour his memory in this way,” added LeBlanc. “This event wouldn’t have been possible without our sponsors, and we really owe them a debt of gratitude.”
Sponsors of the event include Thistle Hyundai, Rudders Seafood Restaurant & Brew Pub, Carl’s Store and CJLS Yarmouth.
The Gary J. Surette Memorial Association is a non-profit organization, formed in memory of Gary J. Surette by friends and family. The association seeks to raise funds to help ease the burden being felt by local cancer patients and their families.
