Lance Black believes longtime NHLer Reg LeachB次元官网网址檚 story is B次元官网网址渁 compelling one of giving back and of redemption.B次元官网网址�
ThatB次元官网网址檚 part of the reason Black, president of the B.C. Hockey LeagueB次元官网网址檚 Victoria Grizzlies, is bringing the former Philadelphia Flyers sniper in to be the keynote speaker at the inaugural Grizzlies Gala Dinner and fundraiser auction on Oct. 6 at the Westin Bear Mountain Resort and Spa.
Another is the fact that Black was a kid growing up in Flin Flon, Man. when Leach was starring with the Western Canada (Junior) Hockey LeagueB次元官网网址檚 Bombers, a team that included future Flyer and Flin Flon native, Bobby Clarke.
Black, a B次元官网网址渓ifelong Bombers and Flyers fanB次元官网网址� who took over from fellow Grizzlies co-owner John Wilson as president before this season, says heB次元官网网址檚 been looking for ways to increase awareness of the team.
B次元官网网址淚 was sitting around in the office thinking, whatB次元官网网址檚 a good way to reintroduce people to our hockey club, when I looked over at a picture of Bobby Clarke,B次元官网网址� Black says.
He managed to secure an appearance by Leach, who for some time now has spoken to groups about life in hockey, his battle with alcohol and what it was like to go from a tiny First Nations community in Manitoba to the bright lights of the NHL.
Black sees parallels between the Bombers and the Grizzlies.
Flin Flon, a community of 13,000 residents, lost its major junior hockey team in 1978 before re-emerging in junior A in 1985. The West Shore almost lost the Grizzlies, he says, but the combined efforts of the ownership group have started to turn things around.
B次元官网网址淭he Grizzlies were very close to folding a couple years ago. John Wilson reached out to me and asked how can we get this thing alive again,B次元官网网址� Black says.
B次元官网网址淲e had the largest attendance jump in the league last year B次元官网网址� I think weB次元官网网址檝e got our mojo back. Now when I phone, people are excited to be a part of our organization.B次元官网网址�
Being in first place doesnB次元官网网址檛 hurt, either, he adds.
Also on the retired hockey pro guest list are VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Matt Pettinger, who last played for Vancouver in 2010; BCHL president and Canucks alum John Grisdale, and Lyle Moffatt, who spent most of his career with the Winnipeg Jets and has lived in Victoria for many years.
While there is a team fundraising aspect to the night, the evening is more about increasing awareness of the Grizzlies in the community, Black says. The hope is to sell between 200 and 250 tickets for the event, which will be hosted by CFAX radio personality Steve Duffy and have the auctioneering duties handled by fellow radio newsman Cliff Lequesne.
Auction items include four nights in a luxury golf resort home in Montana, a week in a beachfront condo in Cabo San Lucas, a Reggie Leach jersey and a Dallas Stars package that is still being assembled.
Cocktail hour starts at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7. Tickets are $125 each or $450 for half a table (four people) or $900 for an eight-person table and can be booked by calling the Grizzlies office at 250-385-1555, Scott Didmon at 250-213-6660, or Black at 250-514-5609.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
