NHL players to attend event at Vernon’s Kal Beach this summer

VERNON – Hockey fans have an exciting event to look forward to this summer in Vernon.

The city announced today the National Hockey League Players’ Association will be participating in a community event and hospital fundraiser at Kalamalka Beach Friday, July 10.

The family-friendly celebration will feature a significant donation of hockey equipment made by the players’ Goals and Dreams fund to local grassroots hockey programs, as well as live music, activities and an opportunity to meet current and past NHL players, including Vernon’s own Curtis Lazar, David Booth, Andrew Ference, Josh Gorges, Scott Hartnell, Ryan Johansen, Brayden Schenn, Luke Schenn, and more players to be announced at a later date.

Former NHL players Cory Cross, Brent Gilchrist, Dean McAmmond, Fernando Pisani, Joe Reekie, Mathieu Schneider, Steve Webb and Rob Zamuner are also scheduled to appear. The NHL players will hold a golf tournament the day before at Predator Ridge.

“Vernon has produced a number of outstanding athletes that we are proud of, including Curtis Lazar and Dean McAmmond, and has a rich hockey culture, so I encourage the community to come out to support the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation and meet their NHL heroes on July 10,” Vernon mayor Akbal Mund says in a media release.

Donors to the hospital foundation will receive meals and refreshments, as well as the opportunity to win a jersey signed by one of their favourite NHL players. Free parking will be available at Okanagan College, and shuttle service to and from Kalamalka Beach will be available. There will also be several autographed jerseys auctioned off at the event.

"I am proud to be here today representing the (association), and I look forward to joining a number of fellow players at the (event) this July for what is sure to be a fun day celebrating our great game,” Curtis Lazar says in the release.

More information will soon be available on the City of Vernon website.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.