Doug Gilmour, Mark Napier, and Gary Roberts are among the former hockey greats who have signed up to play in next month's Juno Cup in London.
The game scheduled for March 15 at the Western Fair District Sports Centre pits retired NHLers and Canadian Women's Hockey League players against Canadian musicians.
Other hockey alumni booked to play in the game include Sami Jo Small, Dennis Maruk, Dave McLlwain, Mike Kostka, Natalie Spooner, Sarah Nurse, and Brad Dalgarno. Former London Knight Brandon Prust will coach, while former NHL ref Bill McCreary will officiate the game.
Representing Canada's musical talent will be Blue Rodeo's Jim Cuddy, The Reklaws, Classified, Adrian Sutherland from Midnight Shine, Amanda Rheaume, Menno Versteeg (Hollerado), Born Ruffians' Mitch Derosier and Luke Lalonde, and Jeff Giles from Jane's Party. Deep Dark Woods frontman and guitarist Ryan Boldt will coach the musicians' team.
The charity hockey game raises awareness and funds for MusiCounts, Canada’s music education charity associated with The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) and the JUNO Awards.
“JUNO Cup is the perfect kick-off to JUNO Weekend, with artists and players engaged in friendly competition for a great cause. We are all here to help MusiCounts put musical instruments into the hands of children that need them most,” Juno Cup founder Jim Cuddy said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to bring this event to London, and I’m looking forward to connecting with both JUNO Cup regulars and first-timers – it’s going to be a great time.”
Juno Cup tickets range from $15 to $20 (plus fees) and are currently on sale at the Budweiser Gardens box office, online at budweisergardens.com, or by calling 1-866-455-2849.