Ex-NHL Players Raise Money For Alzheimers

Hockey players have always been known to be the most ”down-home” and “giving” of the major professional sports and here is more evidence of that fact. 

TORONTO (CP) – It’s a totally Canadian way to do some charity work.

Put together a hockey tournament, set fundraising minimums for teams to get in, give the club that raises the most money first pick of a host of former NHLers, and then drop the puck.

Mike Bossy, Paul Coffey, Gilbert Perreault, Wendel Clark and Borje Salming are among the stars on board for the Baycrest International Pro-Am Hockey Tournament, which runs April 27-28 at York University in Toronto with a goal of raising $1.6 million for Alzheimer’s research.

“In order to qualify a team has to raise a minimum of $25,000 or an individual can register to play if they raise a minimum of $2,000,” Baycrest Foundation president Mark Gryfe told a news conference Thursday. “While that sounds like a lot of money to raise, it really isn’t.”

Last year’s event raised $800,000 for Alzheimer’s research at Baycrest, which focuses on brain function and mental health related to aging. With space for 40 teams – 33 spots have already been filled with groups from across Canada – there are hopes this year’s total might surpass $2 million.

Read more from CBC.