Gaskell Cup honours Gainey as captain
March 30 tourney at Evinrude Centre hosted by Helping Others Participate Equally benefits concussion program
Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Bob Gainey has been named honorary captain for the upcoming Gaskell Memorial Cup, a role filled previously by his former Montreal Canadiens teammate Ken Dryden, as well as NHLers Steve Larmer and Marc Savard.
The Peterborough native will be on hand to meet fans and cheer on youth and adult divisions competing in the eighth annual three-on-three, half-ice tournament, which returns March 30 to the Evinrude Centre.
The grassroots nature of the event, hosted by Helping Others Participate Equally (HOPE), was a big draw for the six-time Stanley Cup champion.
All funds raised will support Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation concussion education and awareness efforts, with a focus on removal from play and return to play protocols under the new Rowan’s Law legislation.
“We all know how important it is for kids to play, to participate and enjoy that time of their life … and to add another level of safety to it is very comforting to all involved,” Gainey told those gathered for a launch at Park Place Financial on Highway 7.
The Gaskell Cup honours Kirk Gaskell, a husband and father of two and allaround athlete who lost his battle with acute myeloid leukemia in October 2012. The event raised more than $100,000 for local charities in its first five years.
Board member Chad Marshall said HOPE’s mission is to raise awareness about concussion protocols by working with stakeholders to identify and fill knowledge gaps.
“Together we are moving forward to generate more awareness in the community for all sports so that together, the kids can feel safe between the whistles so that life after the whistles can be as fruitful as possible,” he said.
Foundation executive director Laura Kennedy said the foundation is pleased with the partnership, which began last year, and is proud of the education the groups have been able to provide the community. They are happy to continue the program; a foundation-hosted symposium with Dryden held last fall drew more than 300 from sports associations.
“We would like to see even more of that because we know the more we can educate, the more we can help protect our sporting community,” she said.
More than 150 players are expected to take part on 18 adult teams and 24 youth teams.
The tournament will also include a 50/50 draw, raffle, silent auction and family zone with activities such as face painting as well as a shootout for a new car from Russelle Toyota at 2:30 p.m., organizers said. The first event, a pond hockey tournament held in January 2012 on the Trent Canal, drew a crowd of more than 300 who came out to support the St. Peter Secondary School and Peterborough Petes minor hockey graduate.
Gainey began his hockey career with his hometown Petes in 1972 before being chosen eighth overall by the Canadiens. His successful playing career was followed by further success as a coach and general manager.
After being inducted into the hall in
1992, he was recognized as one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in history by The Hockey News. Gainey now serves as team consultant for the St. Louis Blues and as senior adviser to the Petes.