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Hockey legend Bobby Orr will take part in Staal Foundation Open

Bobby Orr is coming to Thunder Bay. The Boston Bruins legend is the first of several high-profile celebrities announced as a special guest of this year’s Staal Foundation Open.
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Bobby Orr is seen in 2007 during a hockey event he attended at the Thunder Bay Tournament Centre. (FILE)

Bobby Orr is coming to Thunder Bay.

The Boston Bruins legend is the first of several high-profile celebrities announced as a special guest of this year’s Staal Foundation Open.

Orr will spend two days at the PGA Tour Canada event, July 14 and 15, taking part in a number of events to help support the tournament’s charity efforts.

Carolina Hurricanes captain Eric Staal said Orr’s presence will boost the tournament’s profile.

“Having a legend of the game like Bobby Orr joining us to support the Staal Family Foundation is Thunder Bay this summer is a huge honour for our family,” Staal said. “When you think of the biggest icons in the game, Bobby is up there with the very best, and someone my brothers and I revered growing up.”

Orr, an agent, has longstanding ties with the four hockey-playing Staal brothers.

It’s great news for the second-year event, said tournament director Scott Smith.

“Learning that Bobby has decided to participate in our event this summer is absolutely thrilling,” Smith said in an email release.

“Bobby has shown a strong interest in supporting Thunder Bay and region and our efforts raise money for charity along with the Staal Family Foundation. We hope his presence will help us take our event and its community impact to the next level.”

Orr is widely regarded as the best defencemen ever to lace up a pair of skates, a player who revolutionized the position.

Over the course of his injury-shortened career, Orr won eight straight Norris Trophies and three Hart Trophies as the NHL’s most valuable player.

He retired in 1978 because of knee injuries and a year later was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Even tour officials are exited at landing a celebrity the caliber of Orr.

“It’s a tremendous honour to have one of hockey’s all-time greats at this year’s Staal Foundation Open presented by Tbaytel,” said PGA Tour Canada president Jeff Monday.

“The community support and charitable impact of the event’s inaugural year was exceptional, complimented by the presences of the Staal family and other high-profile NHLers and celebrities. With Bobby generously lending his support, we look forward to the event making an even bigger difference in Thunder Bay and region this year.”

 





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