Derek Stepan and Mike Krushelnyski are the latest NHL celebrities to join the Staal Foundation Open cause.
The duo were officially announced on Tuesday.
Stepan, a fixture with the New York Rangers, is a teammate of Marc Staal, whose family foundation is the title sponsor of the MacKenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada event.
Krushelynski enjoyed a 14-year NHL career, scoring 241 goals while winning three Stanley Cups, all with Edmonton. He also spent parts of four seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Former Thunder Bay Television reporter Glenn Schiiler and his TSN colleague Geno Reda will also be on hand for the second-year event.
Hall-of-famers Bobby Orr and Grant Fuhr and retired NHLer Marc Savard have already confirmed their appearances and tournament director said more participants will be named between now and next Monday the tournament’s opening day and celebrity golf event.
Eric, Jordan and Marc Staal will also be on hand throughout the tournament, and local NHLers such as Carter Hutton and Robert Bortuzzo are also expected to take part.
“We have a whole host of people coming and we’re going to be releasing more as the days go on up until the event,” Smith said.
“Lots of exciting news and it’s a great roster of players.”
It’s getting easier and easier to encourage the NHL community to attend the tournament, Smith added. “It’s a great cause. They’re out supporting the Staal family and their quest to raise funds for some good charities, family and children battling cancer,” Smith said. “It’s about that, but it’s also a lot of fun for the celebrities to come out and play the course and play with the pros,
“They get to play with people who are professional golfers, which is a lot of fun for them.”
Orr will be on hand on Tuesday during the regular pro-am event.
“He’s going to be roaming the course. I don’t want to promise anybody specific, but there are opportunities. He’s going to be out and around,” Smith said.
All activities are open to the public to come out and watch.
Opening ceremonies are scheduled for Monday, followed by Brett Cleverdon’s golf show.
“Our family couldn’t be more pleased with the events and activities planned,” said Carolina Hurricanes captain Eric Staal in a release.
“We are truly humbled by the support and commitment of the great number of people who have worked hard to make this happen and very thankful to all our colleagues and friends who have chosen to spend some time in Thunder Bay this summer and participate in the festivities.
“It’s going to be great. Come on out.”
Daily tickets are $10 and weekly passes are $30.
MONDAY, JULY 13 IS THE OFFICIAL KICK OFF OF THE TOURNAMENT WITH OPENING CEREMONIES BEGINNING AT 11:00 AM FOLLOWED BY THE POWER GOLF & TRICK SHOW AND THE PORTER CELEBRITY PRO-AM SCHEDULED FOR 1:30 PM
