Jake Milford Canucks Charity Invitational

2008-09-25 : Once again, the annual Jake Milford Charity Golf Tournament was back to close the doors on summer and usher in a new season. Presented by the BC Hockey Benevolent Association and Canucks for Kids Fund, it was the 25th Annual Tournament played on the 25th of September. Playing at the tournament were both current Canuck players, as well as 25 Canuck alumni.

It's important to the whole Canucks family that they are well represented in the community, giving back to those in need. This tournament embodies that perfectly, as everyone involved had a great time raising money for a greater cause.

Besides helping to fund the alumni association, the Jake also donates money to several charities, such as community grants and scholarships. The Canadian Cancer Society's Camp Goodtimes is a major beneficiary of tournament donations. This year, an impressive $135,00 was raised and more than $800,000 since the tournament first began, 25 years ago, which is a testament to the hard work and dedication of those involved.

The Alumni's presence was appreciated not only by the fans, but by current Canucks who were honored to play alongside their heroes. Willie Mitchell in particular was thrilled to be playing alongside Canuck legends.

"I enjoy it because it's a chance for me to chum around with a few of the older players that I watched, who left a legacy for us to play in now. Dennis Kearns is right there, there's Dave Babych...these are all guys that I watched and I'm kind of one of them now so that's fun, it's a lot of fun."

Mitchell went on to say that "The fact that the alumni has such a strong following here, everyone seems to come together to do things like this for a good cause, so it's twice as rewarding."

Despite the rain, the event turned out to be another great success and everybody would agree that this tournament has a special feeling to it. Of course, the success of the Milford Tournament runs deep for the alumni as it helps to fund the Canucks alumni association. The Canucks alumni association is one of the largest in the league, with 100 members living in the Vancouver area alone.

Bernie's Bits - Bernie Pascall

2008-09-15 : -Members of the Vancouver Canucks Alumni have played hockey at all levels of the game. For many, besides excelling at the NHL and other professional leagues, they've also experienced the ultimate prize of Canadian Major Junior Hockey, winning the Memorial Cup. I had the opportunity to call the play by play of 12 Memorial Cups. From a broadcaster's perspective the event provides excitement unmatched outside of the NHL.

-Several of the Canucks alumni were teammates on Memorial Cup Championship teams.... Richard Brodeur and Blair (B.J.) MacDonald shared the experience of winning the Canadian championship while playing for the Cornwall Royals in 1972…Brodeur was tournament MVP as Cornwall beat Roger Neilson's Peterborough Petes 2-1.

-Pat Quinn and Roger Bourbonnais shared a Memorial Cup win in 1963 with the Edmonton Oil Kings defeating Niagara Falls 4-3 in the championship game.

-The NHL Canucks' first captain, Orland Kurtenbach, won the coveted junior trophy in 1957 with the Flin Flon Bombers. That team featured many future Canucks, including goalie George Wood, Ron Hutchinson, Duane Rupp, Mel Pearson, Mike Kardash, Ted Hampson and Patty Ginnell.

-In the 70's, the New Westminster Bruins were led by future Canucks alumni. Stan Smyl and Mark Lofthouse were members of the 1977 Memorial Cup team playing out of Queens Park Area... Lofthouse was the tournament all star right winger... the championship was played at the Pacific Coliseum. The following year, Smyl was named MVP and made the All Star team... Ken Berry and Larry Melnyk were also members of the 1978 Championship team.

-The 1983 Memorial Cup champions were the Portland Winter Hawks.... future Canuck Cam Neely and Alumni member Randy Heath were integral members of that team.... Heath scored 82 goals during the regular season and was a member of the championship all star team. Neely has been inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame and the BC Sports Hall of Fame.

-Alumni member Mike MacWilliam and Trevor Linden were teammates in 1987 as Medicine Hat Tigers recorded a Memorial Cup win over Oshawa.

-Just a few examples of the esteemed history of the Vancouver Canucks Alumni, including a definite Memorial Cup connection and a winning one at that.

Cyclone Taylor Golf Classic

2008-07-07 : On Saturday July 7, 2008, Vancouver Canucks alumni hit the links for the 60th Cyclone Taylor Golf Classic. Over 50 members of the Canucks alumni were joined at this annual event by other members of the Canucks family such as Jim Robson and Norm Jewison as well as partner sponsors and invited guests. Current General Manager Mike Gillis and Assistant General Manager Steve Tambellini were also in attendance but it was hometown boy Darcy Rota who scored the day’s low gross. Held at the Richmond Golf and Country Club, the tournament raised approximately $10,000 for the BC Hockey Benevolent Association.

Alumni attend PCAHA awards

2008-05-30 :

On May 20th, the Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey Association held there annual Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey Association scholarship awards at General Motors Place. Scholarships are awarded every year to a number of registered Midget and Juvenile players who are in grade eleven or twelve, or are finished high school.

This year, The Pacific Coast Scholarship Program is in its 31st year of operation and has worked closely with the Vancouver Canucks over these years. This year the awards ceremony saw many young male and female athletes from all over mainland. "Its always exciting to see these young athletes at this time of their lives." said Cliff Ronning, from the Vancouver Canucks Alumni.

This years’ winners had the great opportunity to receive their awards from Vancouver Canucks Alumni Cliff Ronning, Bob Murray and John Craighead. This years winner of the Vancouver Canucks Community Service Bursary Award was Ryan Randhawa . The winners of the Vancouver Canucks Scholarship Awards were, Thomas Shaw of Port Coquitlam MHA, Troy Johl of Vancouver MHA and Laura Borden of North Shore Female IHA and the winner of the newly named Stan Smyl Scholarship Award was David Semail of Burnaby MHA.

Over the past 31 years, The Pacific Coast Awards Program has given out over 568 awards with a total value of approximately $303,350. This year 17 deserving minor hockey players were awarded $14,250 in scholarship awards. Every recipient must apply their awards towards tuition at a post-secondary educational institution of their choice.

For more information on this or other minor hockey programs call the Canucks Centre for BC Hockey @ 604 899 7770 or go to PCAHA.org or BC Hockey.net.

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