There's plenty of avid hockey fans on the Semiahmoo Peninsula, but even better — there's plenty of hockey talent — of all ages.
This year, the inaugural Semiahmoo Ravens Alumni Pro-Am event is set for May 9-11 at South Surrey Arena, and will feature Ravens alumni players as well as National Hockey League alumni. Hosted in partnership with the Surrey Eagles and White Rock Whalers, the first-ever pro-am will return every year, in a fun annual event that also, serves as a way to raise some funds for local charities.
"We thought it was a good opportunity to create a cool event that keeps the fundraising in the community, and support some local businesses as well," said Jared Harman, who is on the organizing committee for the event.
A former minor hockey player himself, and having been involved with helping to put together alumni teams with the Canucks Autism Network, Harman said the annual fundraiser will support Kid Sport White Rock and South Surrey, the Canucks Autism Network, the Peninsula Community Foundation and Semiahmoo Minor Hockey.
NHL alumni players who will be participating include Matt Cooke, Dave Tomlinson, Jim Vandermeer, Anthony Peluso, Mike Brown, and Colton Gillies.
Retired Canadian sportscaster and hockey icon Jim Hughson will also be the master of ceremonies for the draft portion of the weekend event, on the Friday night, Harman noted.
Semiahmoo Ravens alumni players are currently rasing funds in teams, "walk-a-thon style," he explained.
"The way it works is, (the fundraising) teams get to draft an NHL player based on how much money they fundraise," he said. "The team that raises the most money drafts first overall, and so forth."
All of the weekend's games are open to the public, with the all-star game set for Sunday, May 11, where the NHL alumni players will play with the top fundraisers.
That game is also open to the public, Harman said, with admission by donation.
"The whole purpose is to just bring the whole community together around hockey, and try to create a fun environment to raise money for some charities that we all support."
For more information, or to get involved, visit ravensproam.ca
