It’s a moment that captured the heart of one hockey fan, watching one of the all-time National Hockey League greats play at Summerside’s Eastlink Arena on Sunday afternoon.
“I remember watching Ray Bourque on television. Every hockey fan recognizes his name,” said Donnie Ballum from Tyne Valley while cheering for both teams in the Ray Bourque and Friends Rally for the Valley game.
“Watching these former NHL hockey players pass the puck, and the way they still play on the ice, is excellent. For their age, they are still swift on the ice,” added Ballum, who played for the Tyne Valley Clover Farmers from 1980 to 1991.
Some of the other notable former NHLers to play in the game included former Summerside Western Capital Darren Langdon, Ron Duguay and Denns Maruk.
In 2017, the NHL named Bourque as one of its 100 greatest players and his jersey No. 77 was retired by two teams.
“This support from these legends, and everyone, is incredible and humbling. I have many memories related to the Tyne Valley rink, so it was devastating to learn the facility was a total loss after the fire (on Dec. 29),” said Ballum.
“I was on the bus that went over to rally with Sackville, N.S. The Sackville hockey community was heartbroken that we lost our arena.”
Ballum said it was much more than just an ice pad for those in the Tyne Valley community.
“It was our nucleus. A meeting place for friends and family, the annual Oyster Festival, a place to host events, hockey, ice skating. There are many fond memories built around that former arena.”
Proceeds from Sunday’s game will be part of the fundraising effort to replace the Tyne Valley rink.
Adam MacLennan of the Tyne Valley Kraft Hockeyville committee said the game was a huge success, with fans coming from across the province.
“The support has been great for our initiatives and having the NHL Legends here, including Ray Bourque was very special,” said MacLennan. “We are hoping to have a final count on funds raised (from the game) this week, but we are confident about the success of this game towards our efforts.”
