NHL alumni shine in fundraising game

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

From country star George Canyon singing the national anthem, to stick throwing pranks on a penalty shot, fans were entertained throughout the NHL/Calgary Flames alumni game versus the Cairn Hill Oldtimers on March 15 at the Strathmore Family Centre.
The players thoroughly enjoyed themselves: whether they were catching up with old teammates or putting on a show for the crowd.
“It went very smoothly, Colleen did a great job organizing, and we were just able to show up to play and have fun,” said Neal Coulter, NHL alumni and co-organizer of the event. “I think both teams had a lot of fun and you get into that dressing room, it’s just a great time, lots of laughs.”
There were some players that had not changed from their playing days that really did make the atmosphere of the game.
“Archie Henderson has 100 different humorous lines and he kept everybody really light and loose,” he said.
Coulter’s favourite part of the event was just being able to socialize with long-time friends and to be able to share the good times with fellow alumni.
“That’s one of the things I look forward to most as part of the alumni is getting together for function like this and guys come from all over the place and you meet new guys and this could be our last alumni function this year for skates,” said Coulter.
Former Calgary Flames assistant coach Rich Preston thoroughly enjoyed his experience at the game.
“It always fun to get back on the ice for players like us and it doesn’t matter how old you are, I’m in my 60’s and I still enjoy getting on the ice,” said Preston.
“There’s some guys here I played with professionally and others I’ve played against and it’s always good to get together for a good cause.”
Preston thought the best memory of the day was skating with the Timbits and how much fun it was to re-live when they were that age and playing hockey.
The proceeds from the game went towards covering costs for the Strathmore 2015 Alberta 55 Plus Summer Games.