Several NHL alumni and local celebs are lacing up their skates tonight (Dec 21st) in Ponoka for the Gord Bamford Christmas Hockey Classic.

All are welcome, you're asked to bring a donation for the Ponoka Food Bank.

Bamford says his career has afforded him the opportunity to meet lots of hockey greats, many of which in turn have become big supporters of his charity work with the Gord Bamford Foundation.

“Curtis Glencross and I have become good friends; he does a lot of great charity work as well.  I’ve become Oiler alumni now so I play with the Oiler alumni, I’ve had a chance to meet all of them and obviously the Calgary Flames are very involved with our charity golf event, they’ve been huge for us over the years”.

Bamford's team will be coached by Duane Sutter, the country music star used his first draft pick to select three-time Stanley Cup champion Colin Fraser to his squad.  Brian Sutter will be behind the bench of Team Brian Halbert.

The self-proclaimed huge hockey fan, Bamford says it’s been neat meeting so many hockey celebs and forging relationships.

“I guess that’s the unique thing about the industry I’m in, I mean, you get to meet a lot of these guys and even though they are pro-athletes they all want to be rock stars too and vice versa”.

Game time is 7 pm at the Ponoka Arena.