Momentum is building with the greater Smoky River region as organizers continue to put the finishing touches on an upcoming Smoky River Regional Golf Course Society fundraiser featuring the NHL’s (National Hockey League) past all-stars in action at H.W. Fish Arena in McLennan March 15. “We’re making good progress,” says and upbeat society president Terry Calliou in reference to the challenges which coincide with organizing a large-scale event of this scope and magnitude. “The tickets have all been printed and are now being circulated throughout the region.” A limited number of 1,000 tickets are available for the upcoming event, which features the NHL past all-stars squaring off in two back-to-back charitable hockey games on the afternoon of March 15. The first game will feature the all-stars, led by former NHL’ers Wayne Babych, his brother, Dave, and past Edmonton Oilers enforcer Dave Semenko take on the McLennan Redwings senior men’s recreational hockey team. “It’s something the boys are pretty pumped about,” says Calliou, who plays for the Redwings. Joining Semenko and the Babych brothers on the NHL past stars roster is European hockey all-star Rick Loeb and several past stars of the Canadian Football League. Festivities for the event get underway at 2 p.m. with a special opening ceremony featuring all of the players. “We’re also planning to have a ceremonial puck drop at centre ice followed by the Canadian National Anthem, which will be recited by Meagan Houle of Falher,” Calliou says. Game one will include two 20-minute periods with a break in between action to flood the ice surface. That will be followed by an encore performance featuring the NHL all-stars against the Lakeland Eagles North Peace Hockey League alumni team. Babych, who has been working closely with the Redwings hockey club and golf course board of directors in recent weeks to promote the fundraiser, says the rare event represents a great opportunity for residents throughout the region to show their collective support for the golf course. He says recreational facilities like the golf course represent the life blood of communities, especially in rural Alberta which doesn’t have the same level of support as its urban counterparts. “Regional recreation facilities such as the golf course are tremendous assets to the community and region,” says Babych, adding that players are honoured to be helping out such a worthy cause. “We understand that it can be difficult at times trying to operate a rural golf course with a small, but dedicated core group of volunteers. That’s why we’re coming to McLennan. We just want to do whatever we can to help.” And help they will, by rolling up their sleeves and putting on a show which appeals to all age groups. “It’s a fun, family-based entertainment package,” says Babych, adding that fans are in for a few surprises during the two games which will add a twist of humour to the overall entertainment package. Just what those surprises will be is something Babych remains tight-lipped about, at least for the time being. “I can’t let the cat out of the bag.” Coinciding with the event are several additional fundraising opportunities aimed at generating proceeds for the golf course society. They range from timed Zamboni and 50-50 draws, to a live dinner and auction being held later in the afternoon at the Elks Hall. The dinner and live auction will see dozens of NHL memorabilia items being auctioned off to the highest bidders throughout the evening. Some of the items up for grabs include a Mark Messier/Wayne Gretzky/Glen Anderson autographed hockey stick, a Glen Healy autographed hockey jersey, Edmonton Oilers and Edmonton Eskimos tickets, an NHL Alumni autographed jersey, a Bobby Hull autographed picture, autographed hockey sticks by Wayne Gretzky, Guy Lafleur, Brett Hull and Doug Gilmour in addition to a Tiger Williams autographed NHL hat and much more. Tickets for the dinner and auction as well as the two hockey games are available for $50 each and can be purchased in advance at the McLennan town office. Tickets for the hockey games are also available at the Smoky River Express office in Falher A limited number of 1,000 tickets are available for the afternoon hockey event (on an advance basis only) for $20 (adults) and $15 (children) each. Promotional programs featuring all the players and local sponsors from throughout the region will be available for $3 each at the arena on the day of the event. Proceeds from the fundraiser are earmarked towards improvements at the Smoky River Regional Golf Course in McLennan. “We’re hoping to combine proceeds from the event with government grant funding to cover the cost of a new water irrigation system and general contour (elevated tee-off boxes) improvements,” Calliou explains. For additional details, contact Calliou at 324-2721.