Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Hockey game closes Rockets Alumni Weekend

Press Release

The 12th annual Kelowna Rockets Alumni hockey game was a huge success on Sunday as players from past and present took to the ice at the Capital News Centre in Kelowna for a great cause.

Doug FarrowPast Rockets greats like Luke Schenn, Jason Deleurme, Josh Gorges, Tyler Myers, Blake Comeau, and Jamie Benn were joined by some current Rockets on Sunday night as the annual Kelowna Rockets Alumni Weekend came to a close.

The fans were treated to some sensational passing plays and incredible displays of skill on the way to a 14-9 final.

Benn, who plays for the Dallas Stars and is a 2014 Olympic team hopeful, opened the scoring just 25 seconds into the first period. That theme would continue throughout the game, as the alumni took this opportunity to enjoy themselves and entertain the crowd. Deleurme, who, at 36, was the oldest player on the ice, turned back the clock with a hat trick of his own.

The weekend of events, which included the 13th Annual Rockets Alumni golf tournament at the Harvest,  was successful for more than just its on-ice product. The Alumni Weekend raised over $35,000 for the Kelowna General Hospital orthopedic ward. The final tally will go higher after a silent auction on Sunday.

That pushes the twelve year total to over $350,000 in funds raised for KGH; something Rockets Director or Marketing, Anne-Marie Hamilton is very proud of.

“We were thrilled with our alumni weekend again this year, and proud to be able to donate to Kelowna General Hospital. We couldn’t do this without the great support of title sponsors Scotiabank and the Daily Courier, as well as all the sponsors from the golf tournament.”

The fundraising efforts received a special boost from former Rocket, Vern Fiddler, who played in Kelowna from 1997 to 2001. The veteran of 580 NHL games donated $5,000 on behalf of his charity, the Fiddler Fights Cancer Foundation.

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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