Fundraiser face-off

Fans will get the chance to play with NHL legends in the third annual Faceoff Against Cancer tournament to raise funds for cancer research

People will get the opportunity to lace up with some of the NHL’s big names in an effort to raise funds for cancer research.

Vector AeroSpace and the Canadian Cancer Society are running the third annual Faceoff Against Cancer hockey tournament, where teams will compete in order to raise money for the Cancer Society.

Several hockey legends will be participating in the tournament, including Stephane Richer, Bob Sweeney, Chris Nilan, Gary Leeman and Darren Langdon. Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers will also be present as the honorary chair of the event.

In a press release, Jeff Poirer, president of the Atlantic branch of Vector Aerospace, said that both he and his company were proud to be involved in this fundraiser.

“The name of the game, just as it was last year, will be fun while at the same time raising critical dollars for the Canadian Cancer Society.”

Ernie MacAulay, a great-uncle of Connor McDavid, was at the launch event, wearing a replica of his great-nephew’s jersey.

“This is a first for him,” MacAulay explained, saying that McDavid had not been involved in charity events by himself before, only with his team.

Another of McDavid’s greatuncles from P.E.I. died recently due to brain cancer, which is why McDavid has agreed to this event.

In the press release for the launch event, MacAulay says, “Connor is very proud of his P.E.I. roots.

His paternal grandmother is a P.E.I. native.”

“He is very pleased to be the honorary chair of an event that combines hockey and raising funds for cancer research,” MacAulay says.

There are currently nine teams booked to play, with the organizers hoping to get another three. Each team in the tournament will get to play at least three games, with the final game of the tournament pitting NHL legends against the team that raises the most funds.

The tournament, which is set for May 26-28, will be open to the public, and admission will be by donation.

ROBERT CROSSLEY/THE GUARDIAN Connor McDavid’s great-uncle, Ernie MacAulay, right, wears his greatnephew’s jersey at the Faceoff Against Cancer launch event. He is joined by Ben Parsons, chairman of Faceoff Against Cancer and a Canadian Cancer Society board member.