GODERICH – The local Legion aims to host a celebrity sports dinner the likes of which has never been seen before in this scenic Lake Huron shoreline community on Saturday, Aug. 18.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 109 Goderich has partnered with two former NHLers Larry Jeffrey and Gary Doak, who are both Goderich natives, to craft a stellar list of past, present and future sports legends, all of whom wanted to do something for area communities affected by the devastating F3 tornado that ripped through the area on Aug. 21, 2011, said Paul Thorne, who is branch 109 president and event spokesperson.
He said the sold-out Celebrity Sports Dinner, which will be held at the Knights of Columbus Centre, was not intended to memorialize the tornado but to celebrate “a community in transformation” in order to provide an emotional boost for the community and to signify that the town’s residents have moved on.
At the same time, the event provides an opportunity to fund-raise for more than 35 organized community groups whose funding was hampered by the tornado.
Headliners include: CBC’s Coach’s Corner Ron Maclean, Johnny Bower, Gerry Cheevers, Ted Lindsay, Paul Henderson, Ryan O’Reilly, Marcel Dionne and the Colorado Avalanche’s more recent addition, Joey Hishon. (Please see bottom of story for full list of dinner guests.)
Thorne said 23 celebrities have committed to the event, and there are a few surprises too.
The celebrity dinner will also include a live and silent auction of sports memorabilia donated by the dinner guests and conducted by celebrity auctioneer Ben Lobb, who is Huron-Bruce’s MP.
The event is sponsored by Sifto Canada Corp., Bruce Power, PIB Insurance Brokers and the Town of Goderich.
In addition, celebrity dinner guests will participate in a Celebrity Meet and Greet especially for kids from the area before the main event. Kids are welcome to come out to the parking lot of the Columbus Centre, 390 Parsons Court, Goderich between 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. to get a chance to meet and get an autograph from some Canada’s greatest professional athlete’s many with ties to Huron and Bruce counties.
The event is free with special gifts for the kids, thanks to major sponsors, along with Hockey Hall of Fame’s Jeff Denomme, also a Goderich native. Huron County Crimestoppers will also be on hand to host a community barbecue at the event.
Celebrity Dinner Guest Line Up
Dennis Riggin (Kincardine), Goalie, Detroit Red Wings, 18 NHL GP.
Ryan O’Reilly (Varna), Centre, Colorado Avalanche, 236 NHL GP.
Brian O’Reilly, Life Coach, Motivational speaker and trainer of professional athletes.
Larry Jeffrey (Goderich), Left Wing, Played nine years between Detroit, ‘67 Leafs Stanley Cup Winner, NY Rangers, 400 NHL GP.
Gerry Cheevers, Goalie/Coach, Boston Bruins, Hockey Hall of Fame, (19-year career NHL), infamous Stitch Mark Goalie Mask.
Gary Doak (Goderich), Defence/Coach, Boston Bruins, 789 NHL GP), ’70 Bruins Stanley Cup Winner.
Ron Ellis, Right Wing, Toronto Maple Leafs, Stanley Cup 1967, Team Canada, 1,034 GP.
Johnny Bower, Goalie, 3 Consecutive Stanley Cups 1962-64 & 1967 Cup, Hall of Famer, Maple Leafs, named Hockey News 100 Greatest Players.
Paul Henderson (Kincardine), Left Wing, 13 seasons with NHL, also WHA and AHL Team Canada 1972.
Ted Lindsay, Left Wing, Detroit, 4 X Stanley Cup Winner, 1,068 NHL GP, Art Ross Trophy Winner, Hockey Hall of Fame, Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, NHL Ted Lindsay Award, Most Outstanding Player NHL.
Walt McKechnie, Centre, Detroit, Toronto, WHL Rookie of the Year 1968 (955 GP).
Ron Mason (Blyth), Player/Coach, OHL Peterborough Petes, St Lawrence University, Michigan State, US College, Hockey’s most winning coach, Honorary PHD 2001.
Joey Hishon (Stratford), Centre, Colorado Avalanche, Team Canada under 18, 2009 Top Scorer.
Scott Driscoll (Seaforth), Linesman, NHL Officials Association, 1,280 games.
Kevin Pollock (Kincardine), Referee, NHL Officials Association, 787 games.
Dave Mcllwain (Seaforth), Forward, NHL, OHL, National Team, Europe, 501 NHL GP.
Brad Fowler (Goderich), Kickboxing, World Amateur Kickboxing Champion Spain 2003.
Dave Wall (Kincardine), Harness Racer, Mr. OSS (Ontario Sire Stakes), 7,111 Career Wins, totalling over $59 million. Will be inducted into Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame Aug. 16 2012.
Ron MacLean, Sportscaster, CBC’s Coaches Corner Winner of eight Gemini Awards, Level 5 Referee Hockey, Hockey Night in Canada, Battle of the Blades, CBC Calgary Stampede.
Marcel Dionne, Centre, New York Rangers, 1,348 NHL GP, Lady Byng, Art Ross, Lester B Pearson Trophy, 5th highest goal scorer NHL.
Bobby Baun, Defence, Toronto Maple Leafs Stanley Cup Winner, 936 NHL GP, scored winning goal against Detroit after Gordie Howe broke his leg with slap shot.
Sean O’Brien (Goderich), Team Services Manager, Calgary Flames.
