THUNDER BAY – Jordan Staal thrilled a group of Thunder Bay youth today at the West Thunder Community Centre. The NHL star played some floor hockey scrimmage with players from the Staal Foundation Open Pandora Summer Classic.
The Carolina Panther’s star was the special surprise guest at a Staal Foundation press event today, showing up hockey stick in hand to play a little road hockey with the young people who applied some serious effort to raising money for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation.
Jordan Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes says it was incredible to see the twenty plus contestants in the Team Staal contest raise $44,181 for the Northern Cancer Fund.
“It’s kids helping kids. How great is that? These kids are inspiring, they help us recharge and are just amazing;” said Jordan. “It’s so important for our family to give back to a community that did so much for us growing up as kids and really shaping us into who we are today. We really try to do whatever we can, and helping kids is the best part.”
Over the past two years the Staal Foundation Open has raised more than $320,000 for the Northern Cancer Fund, Camp Quality and the Northwestern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer.
“The Staal Family Foundation has been an incredibly generous supporter of Camp Quality, touching the lives of our children and their families as they face the challenges of living with cancer,” stated Ashleigh Quarrell, Director of Camp Quality Northwestern Ontario. “The commitment and compassion we have seen from the Foundation, the Staal family and the organizers of the Staal Foundation Open event is inspiring. Their contribution will enable Camp Quality to do more community outreach work in the northwestern Ontario region and continue to offer programming and support for our campers year-round. We extend our deepest thanks to all involved.”
“The Staal Foundation Open presented by Tbaytel has been a tremendous partner over the past several years,” says Glenn Craig, President & CEO, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation. “As we’ve seen this event grow, so too has the support for the Northern Cancer Fund, and, already this year, with the Team Staal 2016 video contest, we are thrilled with the funds that have been raised for exceptional cancer care here in Northwestern Ontario. Our community has stood behind the Staal Foundation Open presented by Tbaytel, to make it one of the premiere events in
Thunder Bay, and we are very grateful to the organizers and the Staal family for their continued belief in raising funds to provide hope to cancer patients and their families.”
The Staal Foundation Open presented by Tbaytel takes place July 11th-17th at Whitewater Golf Club.
Today it was also announced that NHL legend Bobby Orr will be returning and participating in various events to support the tournaments efforts. Other celebrities previously announced include Grant Fuhr, Thunder Bay’s very own Northern Ontario skip Krista McCarville, Dave Poulin and Trevor Kidd.
Opening ceremonies for the Staal Foundation Open are scheduled for Monday July 11th, followed by the Pandora Intercity Summer Classic, Power Golf & Trick Show and the Porter Celebrity Pro-Am. Also families and kids will enjoy the opening of the Live Better by Janzen’s Interactive Zone. Official tournament play begins on Thursday July 14th.
A full schedule of activities is available online at: staalopen.ca.
