There will be a special tribute to the Charlottetown resident during the TD Bank Celebrity Dinner and Auction Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Delta Prince Edward.
It is the first of two events connected with the Maritime NHLers For Kids event. The second is the Canadian Tire Celebrity Golf Tournament, which goes Thursday at the Links at Crowbush Cove.
Proceeds from the two events go to the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities to help Maritime kids in need play hockey.
“We’re fired up. We’re ready to go,” said Chris Larsen, Maritime NHL’ers 4 Kids managing director. “It’s for all the right reason – let’s get kids on the ice, let’s remove the financial barriers that prevent them from being there.”
He said it is the first time they are paying tribute to one person during the 18-year history of the event.
There’s “nobody more worthy in Prince Edward Island than Forbes. I’ve come to call him the patriarch of hockey in P.E.I.,” he said.
Larsen sighted the venerable and colourful Kennedy’s 13-year career that saw him play for four teams during the Original Six era. He then came back to the Island and coached hockey and baseball.
“So many kids on Prince Edward Island had the great fortune of being coached by Forbie Kennedy,” Larsen said.
One of those players who learned from Kennedy was Dave Cameron.
“Forbie reminds me all the time, I never would have played pro hockey if I didn't attend his hockey school at the Charlottetown Forum,” Cameron told a news conference on Thursday. “There’s not many guys in that middle range now that Forbie hasn't coached at some level or another and I run into them all the time. . . I’ve never heard any of them say a bad word about Forbes Kennedy.”
Kennedy is appreciative of the honour but said he wasn’t expecting it.
He’s been involved with the tournament since Day 1 and said the organizers put so much work into it and the cause is so important that it is easy taking part.
“People don't realize . . . we were amateurs, too, at one time,” he said. “We were kids and we had people helping us out, so what goes around comes around. Now it’s time for us to (give) something back.”
Retired NHLer Al MacAdam and former national junior team member Shannon MacAulay also took part in Thursday’s news conference. MacAulay, who won the NCAA Division 1 title with the Clarkson Golden Knights, said she was honoured and excited to take part in the event this year.
“To have a group of people that are all pulling together in that same direction, have the same passion, that’s cool,” she said.
She said hockey has been her life and added the sport has taught her many life skills that go way beyond wins and losses.
The golf tournament, which is alcohol free, will see 130 minor hockey players caddy during the day.
“There’s not a whole lot of caddying going on,” Larsen said. “It’s an amazing experience for these kids (to) spend a day at the golf course with business leaders and hockey heroes.”
Kennedy, who turns 82 in August, retired from the city after a bout with pneumonia during the winter.
Kennedy can still be found in the rinks and fields around the province. He enjoys watching the young kids play the sport, but he would like to see more hustle.
“In my day . . . you didn't walk from the ball field into the dugout, you ran in,” he said. “It doesn't take any ability to hustle. I don't care how they play, as long as they give 100 per cent.”
Maritime NHLers For Kids
What – A non-profit organization committed to helping ensure minor hockey continues to enrich the lives of young Maritime boys and girls whose families face financial challenges.
How – A golf tournament as well as a dinner and auction are held annually to raise funds, which are donated to Canadian Tire Jumpstart charities in each of the three Maritimes provinces.
Where – The event rotates through the Maritimes on a three-year cycle. This year it is being held in P.E.I. with the golf tournament taking place Thursday at the Links at Crowbush Cove and the auction and dinner Wednesday at the Delta Prince Edward in Charlottetown.
Getting involved – The golf tournament is full, but there are still tickets available for the dinner and auction and they can be purchased online through www.maritimenhlersforkids.com.
Last year – Cheques were presented earlier this year to Jumpstart charities in Charlottetown, Moncton and Digby, N.S., for a combined $71,000, which was raised in the 2016 event. The P.E.I. Jumpstart chapter’s portion was $23,666.
Did you know? The tournament has been held in P.E.I. four times in the past, including at the Crowbush, Glasgow Hills, Andersons Creek and Green Gables courses.
Celebrities:
Frank Beaton, retired player from Nova Scotia.
Andrew Bodnarchuk (N.S.), Dallas Stars player
Dennis Bonvie (N.S.), Boston Bruins management
Rick Bowness (N.S.), Tampa Bay Lightning coach
Ryan Bowness (N.S.), Pittsburgh Penguins management
Dave Cameron (P.E.I.), Calgary Flames coach
Kevin Devine (P.E.I.), Buffalo Sabres management
Joe DiPenta, retired player from Nova Scotia.
Doug Doull, retired player from Nova Scotia.
Mark Flood (P.E.I.), current player in Europe
Alex Gallant (P.E.I.), Tampa Bay Lightning player
Brett Gallant (P.E.I.), Current player
Gerard Gallant (P.E.I.), Vegas Golden Knights coach
Alex Grant (N.S.), Arizona Coyotes player
Ryan Graves, (N.S.), New York Rangers player
Eddie Johnston, Pittsburgh Penguins management
Mike Kelly (P.E.I.), Vegas Golden Knights
Forbes Kennedy, retired player from P.E.I.
Al MacAdam, retired player from P.E.I.
Shannon MacAulay (P.E.I.), NCAA champion with Clarkson Knights.
Stephen MacAulay (N.S.), Current player
Zack MacEwen (P.E.I.), Vancouver Canucks player
Drew MacIntyre (P.E.I.), Current player in Europe
Paul MacLean (N.S.), NHL coach.
Mason McDonald (N.S.), Calgary Flames player
Liam O'Brien (N.S.), Washington Capitals player
Ryan Penny (N.S.), Ottawa Senators player
Logan Shaw (N.S.), Anaheim Ducks player
Errol Thompson, retired player from P.E.I.
Geoff Walker (P.E.I.), current player in Europe
Special guests
Paul Constable, the Canadian Tire guy
Lorie Kane (P.E.I.), Canadian Golf Hall of Famer
Heather Moyse (P.E.I.), two-time Olympic gold medallist.
Ambassadors
Kent Painter, retired player from P.E.I.
Bobby MacMillan, retired player from P.E.I.
Logan MacMillan, current player in Europe.