Staal Foundation Open Expands Fun Thunder Bay Wide

THUNDER BAY – Two teams will face off at the first ever Pandora Intercity Summer Classic, a new road hockey event at the 2016 Staal Foundation Open presented by Tbaytel.

The Pandora Intercity Summer Classic is anticipated to be quite the spectacle, featuring a showdown between the Staal brothers, present and former NHL players, Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada players and the media including local and TSN personalities. The historic event will be held following the opening ceremonies at the Staal Foundation Open in a unique arena setting.

“The Staal Foundation Open is just thrilled to include the Pandora Intercity Summer Classic into our schedule of events,” says Scott Smith Executive Director; “Although golf is usually a four letter word that means the hockey season is over, we are excited to be adding this game to our schedule of events. We all have those classic memories of playing road hockey as kids and this brings it to a whole new level.”

Announced alongside KC Minor hockey players this afternoon, children between the ages of 9 to 14 from across the region will have the opportunity to get drafted to #TeamStaal2016. A contest through the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation will be launched in the upcoming weeks with details in how participants can get an exclusive spot to play alongside the NHL hockey stars.

“As kids we always found ourselves with a stick in our hand no matter if it was winter or summer or whether we were playing hockey on the ice, the road, or even in the backyard. We always knew that hockey was our sport and this is where our first memories of the game were made. We are so excited to bring the first ever Summer Classic to our hometown of Thunder Bay and can’t wait to face off for such a great cause;” says Eric Staal of the New York Rangers.

The Pandora Intercity Summer Classic is a fundraiser event with proceeds benefiting regional children’s charities; Camp Quality Northwestern Ontario, The Northwestern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer and The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation.

Keeping the players in line during the big game will also include former NHL Official Ray Scapinello, one of the league’s most recognizable officials. Scapinello’s career began in the 1971/1972 season, spanning four decades and retiring after the 2004 playoffs.

“I look forward to visiting Thunder Bay this summer and participate in this great event. Thunder Bay is such a big hockey town and to be able to help support the Staal Family and their charity efforts, is a great honor. I’m looking forward to putting the stripes back on and also teeing it up in the Porter Celebrity Pro Am;” says Scapinello.

TSN host Glenn Schiiler and Gino Reda will also be in Thunder Bay to provide spectators with a truly entertaining play by play of the game. “This year’s Staal Foundation Open slogan is ‘where everyone plays’ and the Pandora Intercity Summer Classic event captures this notion perfectly;” continues Smith. “This event is open to people of all ages and backgrounds from across Northwestern Ontario. We can’t wait to see our region’s kids and hockey heroes battle it out for the Pandora Intercity Summer Classic title.”

The Pandora Intercity Summer Classic takes place on Monday, July 11th at 11am at Whitewater Golf Club.