Ya gotta have heart
NHL Legends will take to the ice to help teen battling cancer
NHL Legends coming to Centre 200 to support Sydney boy.
The legends are coming with open hearts to help support a Sydney boy in his fight against cancer.
The NHL Legend All-Stars will be in Sydney at Centre 200 on April 5 for a special game to help raise money for Brody Bobbett, a local hockey player and fan who is battling cancer.
NHL greats like Ray Bourque, Stephan Richer, Gary Leeman, Ron Duguay, Al Lafrate and Chris Nilan will be among the players participating in the game. John Scott, a former NHL all-star MVP, is tentatively scheduled to play as well.
Organizer Albert Nordine is a neighbour of the Bobbett family. He said when he found out the legends tour was coming to Atlantic Canada he took advantage of the opportunity to have them in Sydney.
“I put two and two together and I thought it was a great time to get them down and to raise some money for Brody Bobbett,” said Nordine. “I watched him grow up — he has a brother and a sister — and they are caring kids and would do anything for you.”
Bobbett was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and began an aggressive treatment plan with chemotherapy and radiation on Jan. 30. He is currently in Halifax at the IWK children’s hospital.
Jimmy Smith, who coached Bobbett with the Sydney Steelers bantam ‘AA’ team, said the young boy is a great person.
“He’s a tremendous kid — a gentle soul with a good sportsmanlike attitude,” he said. “He’s a likeable kid and his teammates have lots of respect for him.”
This isn’t the first time the NHL Legends have been in Cape Breton. Nordine has worked with the legends program in the past and has help bring the tour to the island a couple of times.
The NHL Legends will play a group of 20 players and businessmen from the local community.
Nordine said it means a lot to him to be able to help the Bobbett family with the expenses associated with being in Halifax with the 13-year-old as he goes through treatment.
“I want to do something for them because they deserve it,” he said. “They are good people.”
Tickets for the game are $20 each, while dressing room passes are $50 and a reception pass, featuring a buffet and silent auction, are $80.
The tickets are on sale for the game at Big Ben’s, Don Cherry’s and MacNeil’s Bakery on Prince Street in Sydney.
“The bottom line is we have to sell these tickets — we have to get a good turnout,” said Nordine. “I want to make sure this is a success.”
Nordine said the goal of the event is to sell more than 2,000 tickets.
“If I can do that, I’ll make some money for the Bobbetts,” he said. “I’ll need support from the community to do that — you can’t go out and sell 2,000 tickets on your own.”
Nordine is encouraging hockey fans to show their support for the fundraiser.
“If you go to this game, you won’t be sorry,” said Nordine. “These former NHL hockey players are something to watch — they are entertaining and they will play within themselves. When you meet these guys, they are amazing.”
For more information about the game and the fundraiser contact Nordine at 902-5659906.