The Hockey Canada Foundation plans to hold its biggest annual fundraiser in London next year.
The foundation announced Tuesday that its annual Gala and Golf tournament will be held in London June 18 and 19. The event has raised about $4-million since 2009 to help grow the game of hockey across Canada. Half of the proceeds stay in the host community.
"We're so pleased that Hockey Canada has chosen London," said Mayor Matt Brown. "We're thrilled to play a role because London is a hockey town through and through. We're a sports city and we have a heavy focus on hockey and on skill development."
In addition to raising money for the foundation, the gala will celebrate the Distinguished Honourees of the Order of Hockey in Canada and Canadian national teams that have had success at international tournaments. The gala on June 18 will be followed by the celebrity golf tournament the next day. The 2018 Distinguished Honourees will be announced early in the new year.
"The Order of Hockey in Canada is something that, for those that have been inducted, will tell you it is the thrill of their lifetime," said Tom Renney, CEO of Hockey Canada. "Many of those individuals - Jean Belliveau, Gordie Howe, Clare Drake, Cassie Campbell-Pascall have all identified with this as being the epitome of their careers."
Mark Hunter, London Knights co-owner and Toronto Maple Leafs Assistant General Manager, and NHL player and former Knight Corey Perry have been named at the honourary co-chairs of the event.