NHL alumni and York Regional Police face off for good cause

A group of former NHL players faced off against York Regional Police officers in Newmarket Sunday afternoon to raise funds for Special Olympics programs across the province.

The NHL alumni roster featured Stanley Cup champions Mike Krushelnyski, Bryan Muir and Keith Acton, former Toronto Maple Leafs Rick Vaive, Frank Corrado, Peter Holland and Wes Jarvis, as well as Zenon Kenopka and Adam Munro. Former Leaf Dave Hutchison officiated the matchup.

"In my early Edmonton days, we had a few kids that we tried to help out and associate with," recalled Krushelnyski, who won all three of his Stanley Cups with the Oilers in the 1980s. "Once I retired, I got away from the game a little bit, but fortunately, the NHL brought us back. So for us, it's all about just trying to go out there, trying to put a smile on a player's face, and then afterwards trying to put a smile on a kid's face."

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The game was part of the NHL Alumni Benefit Tour, which aims to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition for Special Olympics athletes.

"It helps raise funds and awareness for the athletes to participate," said Detective Kevin Selwood from York Regional Police. "It [helps] them with travel expenses for games, equipment, just to get to the games themselves. It gives them all the funds they need and supports them in their training during the year."

Last year's NHL Alumni event raised more than $20,000 to support those initiatives. Vaive says it is a cause that hits home for him.

"I had an uncle who was handicapped and blind, and I used to go play records for him all the time and sing with him for hours," recalled the former Canuck, Leaf, Blackhawk and Sabre. "Those were very important memorable moments for me."

As for the game itself, the NHL alumni squad won by a narrow score of 8-7.

"It's tough when you only have two lines," joked Vaive. "I'm used to playing with three and four lines but not two, so it's been a little bit draining. But nonetheless, we're having fun."

"They give us a little bit of rope, but they're very good," added Det. Selwood with a laugh. "It gives you an idea of how good they are and how good we aren't."

The NHL Alumni Benefit Tour's next stop is in Whitby in late December.