Once again this year, the Kings Mutual Century Centre in Berwick will be playing host to a group of NHL old-timers.
Last year, it was the Boston Bruins, and this year, the Toronto Maple Leafs Old-Timers will pay a visit to Berwick for a Feb. 25 game against the Valley Stars, a team made up of local players and hockey personalities.
As has been the case in the past, the game, which is scheduled to get underway at 7 p.m. will be a fundraiser for the arena.
Some of the details of the evening are still to be finalized, according to Mike Trinacty, a member of the organizing committee for the event.
“The date is confirmed,” he said, “and some of the players who will be coming.”
The list, so far, includes Hockey Hall of Famer and six-time Stanley Cup champion Glenn Anderson, Al Iafrate, Mike Krushelnyski, Gary Leeman and fan-favourite Dave ‘Tiger’ Williams, with “at least five more still to be confirmed.”
For fans who attended last year’s event, the Leafs Old-Timers visit will be similar. “Some of the same people will be suiting up for the locals, with the likely addition of a couple of new team members.”
In addition, at least three local sports personalities will likely end up playing for the Leafs to pad out their roster. Trinacty, for one, got to suit up for the Bruins last year, and confirmed he would likely do so again.
“Last year was a great success,” he said, “with several thousand dollars raised for the arena. With all the Leafs fans there are locally, we’re hoping for just as good a crowd if not a little better this year, and just as successful an event overall.”
Tickets for the game are $20, and are available at a number of Valley locations, including Windsor Home Hardware, R.D. Chisholm’s in Kentville, Winning Edge Sports and Foodland in Berwick, Scotiabank in Greenwood and Digby Subway.
As was the case last year, special tickets will be on sale for entry to a reception with the visiting players following the game, as well as access to the Leafs Old-Timers dressing room between periods.
More information on the event will be passed along as it becomes available.
