Sports in Alberta owe a lot to the Sutter Family, and the money they have raised through the Sutter fund which has gone to help out local charities, non-profits and other sports organization across Central Alberta.

Their primary fundraiser of the year, the Sutter Charity Golf Tournament happens this weekend at the River Bend Golf Course starting tomorrow morning, with registration and the silent auction event happening tonight at the Black Knight Inn in Red Deer, which is open to the public.

Second oldest, former NHL star and coach of the Innisfail Eagles Brian Sutter says besides helping those participate in sports who may not have been able to otherwise, the Sutter Fund was instrumental in helping to develop girls hockey.

“It’s amazing cause the Sutter Fund was a significant part in starting girls hockey. Not in Alberta, but in Canada. And we still are a big help with that, and I know we are, and it’s special when your hear on Hockey Night in Canada, a girl that’s 30-some years old, and she’s talking and brings up the Sutter Fund, and you know you’ve helped them.”

Since the Sutter Funds inception in 1996, they have raised over 2 million dollars for local charities, non-profit groups, and sports organizations.

The entire Sutter family will also be honored by being inducted into the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame on Sunday, in a ceremony in Canmore.