I volunteered for another cause this past weekend. It was the Scotiabank Hockey for Alzheimers at the Canlan Ice Sports Centre in North Vancouver. I volunteered for this event last year when the Pro-Am Baycrest company was leading the way. This time, it was under the BC Alzheimers's charge and it was just as smooth as before.
This cause has Gordie Howe behind it. Diagnosed himself with Alzheimers in 2007, he's been the face of this cause for many years. This was the second year of this tournament in BC. The Pro-Am was held in Toronto this year, however, Mr. Hockey was here all weekend long. Its a tournament where hockey teams register and the team that fund raises the most, gets to play the All-Star team of NHL Alumni's.
It kicked off on Friday, November 15, 2013. A luncheon was held where Mr. Hockey was in attendance and the teams were drafted. Each team had an NHL alumni playing with them throughout the tournament. Accreditations were handed out to each attendee and they were to wear these the whole weekend. This was a challenge as most teams hit The Roxy the night before. They usually ended up on the floor of the Roxy. The tournament started on Saturday, bright and early. This is when I started my shift.
I was given a red toque and a Canucks scarf and was positioned as a greeter! I welcomed the players and sent them to the registration desk, Massage therapists to their area to set up and just helped out in general with locker room duties, setting up and unlocking doors and locking up afterwards. It was freezing at the Canlan. My fingers and toes were frozen to the bone. I had to go to the bathroom a few times during my shift just so I could run them under hot water to get some feeling back. My toes unfortunately, didn't get the same treatment, although, they probably would of loved the same. All volunteers were given a red toque to identify them and a Canucks scarf after their first shift.
I already know most of the Alumni's from previous signings and events that I've worked. They're getting to know me quite well now too. I met a Vancouver Giants photographer, Jock McGrandle, and he took some great pics of myself and of the tournament. He contacted me today with these great photos of the event. These are his pictures below. All pics are copyrighted:
Gary Valk was there for most of the day. He had to leave around 1pm to get ready for his show with Don Taylor on Sportsnet as the Canucks were about to play that evening. He signed some autographs for the professional hockey card autograph seekers who came to the event just for that. I spoke to one of them and he told me that he has over 50,000 hockey cards and programs. He's been following the Canucks since 1978 and its become an addiction for him. He left happy. Gary Valk is a really nice guy, by the way, and he is really, really tall.
Most of the '94 Vancouver Canucks were there along with the Canucks equipment manager, Jamie Hendricks. Other NHL Alumni's like Theo Fleury and older Canucks alumni's such as Gary Nyland, Garth Butcher, Jack McIlhargy and Dennis Kearns were also there. My favourite player of the day was Theo Fleury. He was here last year too and he was such a nice guy and really funny. No different this year. Myself and a few other volunteers wanted to take a picture with him. The NHL Alumni handler, Carolyn, was amazing. She arranged for Fleury to sign some pucks, his book and take a few pics with us. So, here is my pic with him. I'm bundled up to the nines and had just taken off my toque so my hair was still out of place. But it was my only chance to get a picture taken with him. Such a nice guy!
This was taken the last day of the tournament. After my shift ended, I went upstairs to warm up and eat my lunch which they provided. I had the same as the day before. Grilled cheese sandwich with minestrone soup with a hot chocolate. The teams, NHL alumnis and volunteers all ate together. This area over looked the three ice rinks so you could watch the games in warmth from there. While I was up there, the All-Star game started. So, I watched a bit of it with Gary Nyland sitting in front of me in the chairs.
I left shortly after taking this picture as I wanted to get home and take a nap before the Canucks played the Dallas Starts at 5pm. A game which they ended up losing. Oh well. Overall, I had a great time volunteering with this organization. Anytime I can support a cause while being involved in sports is always ideal for me.
Just like the yellow flowers that you see in support of cancer month, the blue flowers represent Alzheimers. I wore mine on my tag. The ladies I volunteered with, all seemed to have some story to share as to how it has affected them personally and as sad as I was to learn about Gordie Howe's disease, I'm glad that he hasn't given up on finding a cure and is involved with great events like this, lending his name whenever he can. He's one of my favourite alumni along with Stan Smyl that I've ever met during my 10 yrs of volunteering. I hope to be back again next year.
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