MARCH 2008 NEWSLETTER

2008-04-10 : Click Here to view the Canucks Alumni March 2008 Newsletter. Please note that Flash Player is required to view.

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ALUMNI VS. ABBOTSFORD THUNDER

2008-04-03 : On Saturday March 29th, 2008 the Vancouver Canucks Alumni traveled to Abbotsford to play the Abbotsford Police Thunderbirds to raise money for Special Olympics. The game drew a crowd of over 400 fans and all enjoyed the fun-filled game. Once again a fantastic show was put on with the traditional pie in the face to Marc Suderman who scored the first goal for the Thunderbirds. With the final score reading 16-13, the game was close, but not that close. Sgt. Richard Rabinovitch of the VPD, host organizer said; "I am slowly recovering from the pain of watching your guys get past us so simplistically." Sgt. Ravinovtich, Danielle Rana manager of Fund Development for Special Olympics, Kelly Pater Coordinator Community Policing and Chris Gaib Manager of Arena Operation at MSA Arena, amongst others were instrumental in coordinating this successful event. The day started with over 100 fans waiting to get an autograph from the likes of Moe Lemay, Chris Oddleifson, Kirk McLean and many other Vancouver Canucks Alumni. "Its great to get out in the community to play these charity games, especially for such a great cause as Special Olympics" Garth Butcher had to say about this and other games the Alumni play. The Vancouver Canucks Alumni send out their condolences to the family and friends, including game volunteer Kelly Pater who tragically lost two friends in an accident the day of the game.

A DECADE OF DEDICATION

2008-03-27 : Picture this: eleven former NHL players boasting nearly 9,000 games of experience with eight Stanley Cup rings amongst them, descending on the little Wyoming cowboy town of Jackson Hole to play a benefit game in a tiny rink 6,200 feet above sea level! Explain please... It all began 10 years ago when the All-Star Hockey Group, a local Vancouver fundraising team, hooked up with former Hollywood actress and singer Connie Stevens, who was looking to raise money for her favorite charity, CES, an initiative which assisted in getting handicapped people back into the work force. Ms. Stevens just happened to have vacation home in Jackson Hole, which is located in the upper northwest corner of Wyoming, not far from Yellowstone National Park. Plans came together to play a fundraising hockey game involving former NHL players augmented by professional musicians and TV/movie stars against a group of senior players from the local team, the Jackson Hole Moose. Gala dinners were added which, over the years, included "special friends" of Connie Stevens, such as Loni Anderson, Valerie Harper, Penny Marshall, Bill Medley and Alan Thicke, just to name a few. In recent years, the Stevens charity went in a different direction but the hockey group persevered with its annual fundraising extravaganza, now benefiting the Teton Free Clinic, a medical facility whose name explains itself. Fast forward to early March, 2008. It was GAME ON for a 10th straight year. This edition of the visiting team included four ex-Canucks: Greg Adams, Kirk McLean, Igor Larionov and Jamie Huscroft. It also included two other currently active members of the Canucks Alumni, Bill Ranford and Gary Nylund. The other NHLers were Neal Broten, Bernie Nicholls, Reed Larson, Benoit Hogue and Tom Chorske. Rounding out the lineup were Dave Coulier (star of the hit TV series Full House), Dan Moriarty (host of Cool Shots on the NHL Network), ex-pro goalie Marty Wakelyn, Ralph Susca (VP Sales, American Airlines, a major sponsor), plus two local fantasy players. The Moose, whose oldest player was younger than any of the ex-NHLers, threw five forward lines at their venerable visitors and quickly jumped to a 4-1 lead. Experience prevailed, however, and, when the smoke cleared, Team NHL had squeaked by the locals 12-11, thanks in no small part to a six-goal performance by Greg Adams and as many assists from the artful Igor Larionov. The following evening, the gala dinner was staged and everyone was entertained by a group of incredibly talented Nashville musicians, while a wide assortment of auction items raised over $35,000 for the Teton Free Clinic. The game was won by the "good guys", and significant charitable funds were raised. The 10th annual Jackson Hole On-Ice weekend had unfolded as it should!

CLIFF RONNING AT GM PLACE

2008-02-28 : Hockey Day in Canada on February 9th 2008 provided Vancouver Canuck fans with plenty of excitement. Part of the day’s events was an autograph signing by Vancouver Alumni Cliff Ronning. Vancouver Canuck fans of all ages were treated to pictures and autographs by the former Canuck. Cliff was a pivotal part of the Vancouver Canucks team from 1990/1991 through to 1995/1996. Cliff provided 328 points during the 366 regular season games and 58 points in 72 playoff games played in a Canucks uniform. Cliff ended his NHL career with the New York Islanders in 2003/2004 after stints with the Phoenix Coyotes, Nashville Predators, Los Angeles Kings, and Minnesota Wild.

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