On Sunday, March 17th the Boston Bruins alumni and the Red Deer HOPE STARS went head to head in a charity game raising money for the Mustard Seed, and the Shalom Counseling Centre at the Enmax Centrium. 

The Red Deer HOPE STARS were comprised of talented Central Albertan athletes who all raised a minimum of $750 to play against the Bruins Alumni.

“Each player had to raise $750, but I know that over half of us were well above that. So, I guess you could do the math there are about twenty players. The people that played on the Boston Bruins side had to pay $1500 to play,” explained Red Deer HOPE STARS player, Cheryl Van Dusen.

Van Dusen was a local player from Stettler who raised just around $2000 to be on the ice. In addition to her monetary contribution, she was also the only woman battling it out on the ice that night.

“I’m kind of used to it, but I just love playing any time I can. So when I get the opportunity to play something different then I like to take the opportunity to do it. The causes were awesome and just near and dear to everyone’s heart to help out people that need help.”

Alongside Van Dusen and the other Red Deer HOPE STARS were notable Boston Bruins alumni such as Raymond Bourque, Rick Middleton, Joe Mullen, Andrew Raycroft, Jay Miller, Dave Shaw, and many others, while Brian Sutter coached the alumni.

“They took it easy on us. We’re lucky. It’s always an honour for us to be out here. For us, it’s guys we don’t see for a long time and obviously, you do it for charity it’s more fun,” said Boston Bruins alumni, Allen Pedersen, claiming in fun that Brian Sutter out-coached the HOPE STARS.

The game ended with a score of 9-7 for the Bruins alumni.

“There were approximately 1750 to 1800 fans here which is above what we forecasted. Which help us raise over $60,000 for both charities,” explained Scott Tilbury, fund and development manager for Red Deer’s Mustard Seed.

Tilbury claims that it’s been about seven years since an NHL legends team came to Red Deer.

After the game, all players were treated to a banquet with a variety of fun prizes to win. Fans were also able to attend the banquet to meet the Bruins celebrities with the additional purchase of a banquet ticket.