Former NHL hockey star Dave Hutchison selected as ride captain for the 7th annual Bob Probert Ride in Windsor, May 17, 2017. (Photo by Maureen Revait) Former NHL hockey star Dave Hutchison selected as ride captain for the 7th annual Bob Probert Ride in Windsor, May 17, 2017. (Photo by Maureen Revait)
Windsor

Another Successful Bob Probert Ride

The memory of a late hockey player is living on following a successful motorcycle fundraiser.

A record 1,400 riders put on the leathers and revved up their engines Sunday for the seventh annual Bob Probert Ride, a fundraiser for Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare's cardio and pulmonary rehabilitation program. The ride is in memory of Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Bob Probert, who died suddenly of a heart attack in 2010 at the age of 45.

Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare vice-president of external affairs Bill Marra says they may have broken fundraising records and the donation totals have not been completed tallied yet.

"We had identified at least $121,000 that was raised," says Marra.

After seven years, the Bob Probert Ride has raised a total of at least $765,000 when the preliminary total of this year's donations are figured in. An official total is expected later in the week.

The ride has had a hands-on approach over the year's from Probert's family. His widow Dani served as the event chair. One of Probert's daughters, Tierney, oversaw the Probert Classic on June 2 which raised $23,000.

The ride began at Thunder Road Harley-Davidson in west Windsor and followed a 120 km loop throughout Windsor and Essex County, with stops planned along the way. Marra, a motorcycle enthusiast himself, suited up and rode in the event for the first time. He says it was a great chance to talk to riders, get their feedback and enjoy the Windsor-Essex region.

"It's such a beautiful region to have a ride in," says Marra. "It's just a great experience and I look forward to many more."

London native and former Toronto Maple Leaf Dave Hutchison was scheduled to serve as this year's ride captain.

The program benefiting from the ride at HDGH provides care to roughly 25,000 patients each year. The hospital system is the only one of the post-acute kind in Windsor-Essex.

Donations are still welcomed. To learn how to donate, click here.

 

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