THUNDER BAY – There are few sights more endearing to Toronto Maple Leafs fans than seeing Wendel Clark donning his familiar blue and white sweater.
Though it’s been nearly two decades since his NHL career came to a close, with his No. 17 since retired by the Maple Leafs, a number of local hockey fans got to share the ice with one of the most beloved players in Toronto hockey lore.
Clark, along with former Toronto teammate Steve Thomas and 400-goal scoring power forward John LeClair, headlined the list of NHL alumni participating in the Thunder Bay Celebrity Hockey Classic in support of Easter Seals, which was held at the Tournament Centre on Friday.
“It’s a lot of fun to come up and be with the people. They’re the ones raising the money and doing a great job. Us as alumni guys are just coming out, hopefully making it a little fun for the guys that are raising the money,” Clark said.
Other players included two-time Stanley Cup champion Brian Skrudland, 868-game veteran defenceman Mathieu Dandenault, enforcer Sandy McCarthy, ex-Ottawa Senators captain Laurie Boschman, nine-year forward Zenon Konopka, 1988 fourth overall pick Darrin Shannon and Kraig Nienhaus.
The event had surpassed its $80,000 fundraising target, sitting at about $89,000 by early afternoon.
Each of the 10 teams has one celebrity player, which were selected in a draft the previous evening. The top fundraising teams were given top picks, with Clark going off the board first.
“You’re helping raise money providing a lot of things that cost a lot of money for the kids. The families have a tough time providing it so Easter Seals comes along and tries to let those kids have a normal life,” Clark said.
“I think it’s a great cause.”
Rhonda Harrison, the senior development officer for Easter Seals Ontario, said this year’s event has grown by four teams compared to last year, with about 150 players taking to the ice for its second iteration.
“It’s an experience, a childhood dream, the people you watched growing up and now you’re playing on the ice with them, against them, hanging out all day in the dressing room, Harrison said.
Thomas, a 20-year NHL veteran who had significant stints in Toronto, Chicago and with the New York Islanders, is a frequent participant in Easter Seals events across Canada.
“It’s a lot of fun to be around the ex-players and guys I played with and the people in these towns that we visit are just phenomenal,” Thomas said. “We have so much fun together and it’s a great opportunity to raise a little money for a great cause.”
Both Clark and Thomas, who captained their teams against one another during a late morning contest, said their goal is to make the day an unforgettable one for everybody playing alongside them.
“You’re pretty much trying to set guys up and let them play the game, depending on what the score of the game is and really having fun,” Clark said. “It really comes down to the dressing room talk and the on-ice chirping, playing some hockey and making sure they had some fun.”
Thomas, who joked that at 55 years old his younger teammates might not remember much of his career, said it’s a perfect setting with everybody sharing their passion and love for the game.
“Being out on the ice with the guys and them knowing I played in the NHL, I think it’s a thrill for them. I know it would be for me if I didn’t play,” Thomas said.
“We tell stories about what it was like when we played and everyone is riveted to your stories and it’s pretty cool.”
