Batter up! NHLers take swing at raising funds for KGH cause
3 ex-Kelowna Rockets, 17 others to play in slo-pitch tourney to raise cash for home away from home for kin of KGH patients
Trash talk and humour were the order of the day as NHL stars discussed baseball. “My strategy is to watch some YouTube videos to learn how to play baseball,” said former Kelowna Rocket and Colorado Avalanche right winger Blake Comeau.
“And maybe I’ll go to the batting cages at Scandia (amusement park).”
The six-foot-one-inch-tall 32year-old will captain Team Comeau at Friday’s Homebase Charity Slo-Pitch baseball game at King’s Stadium.
Comeau and his band of other NHLers will take on former Rocket and Buffalo Sabres defenceman Josh Gorges and his team of hockey pros in the first game of the tournament.
The two captains, along with a host of hockey friends, were on hand for a news conference about their upcoming baseball antics Tuesday at the Prestige Beach House Hotel.
“I agreed to play as long as Blake and I weren’t on the same team,” said Gorges.
The good-natured ultimatum worked perfectly for the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation to create the inaugural Gorges-Comeau Homebase Charity Slo-Pitch Tournament.
Gorges and Comeau were teammates on the Rockets when they won the Memorial Cup in 2004.
Gorges is from Kelowna and Comeau’s summer home is Kelowna, so the two are perfectly positioned to call on NHL buddies to make up two teams for the fundraiser.
In all, 17 active pro hockey players and three retirees will play on Team Gorges and Team Comeau.
The hockey players will kick off the charity slo-pitch with an autograph session from 5 to 6 p.m. Friday. The game is at 6:30 p.m.
On Saturday, 16 other teams will play to raise money for JoeAnna’s House, the complex the foundation is building as a place relatives can stay when a loved one from out of town has to come to KGH for treatment.
“Me and Blake were fortunate enough to play junior hockey in Kelowna, and this event is a good way for us to be involved with the community and give back,” said Gorges.
Luke Schenn, who played for the Rockets 2005-08 and is now with the Arizona Coyotes, will be on Team Comeau.
“I haven’t been able to sleep all week knowing I have to play baseball on Friday,” said Schenn.
“I haven’t swung a baseball bat in a long time.”
Schenn’s younger brother, Brayden, who plays for the St. Louis Blues, will also suit up for Team Comeau.
Tyson Jost, a former Penticton Vee and now Colorado Avalanche centre, is on Team Comeau as well.
“I’m depending on my youth (he’s 20),” said Jost with a laugh.
“These old guys will probably blow out hammies (hamstrings) playing baseball.”
Jordin Tootoo, who most recently played for the Chicago Blackhawks, is on Team Gorges.
“It’s nice to do (a summer fundraiser) that’s different from the typical golf tournament,” he said.
“Plus, I grew up throwing harpoons (in reference to his Inuit heritage), so I should be good throwing a baseball.”