Cliff Ronning and Greg Adams haven’t lost their love of hockey yet.
On Wednesday night the former NHLers will lead a group of ex-players onto the Tournament Centre ice for an exhibition game against local firefighters and police. It’s collection that includes former Calgary Flames goaltender Trevor Kidd, Edmonton Oilers sniper Glenn Anderson and journeyman defenceman Doug Bodger, the Pittsburgh Penguins first-round pick in 1984 not named Mario Lemieux.
Ronning and Adams, members of the 1994 Vancouver Canucks squad that lost Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final to the New York Rangers, on Tuesday said the game and visits to local schools are all about giving back.
The message delivered at a stop at Woodcrest Public School was for students to never give up on their hopes and dreams.
“As an athlete or anyone trying to pursue what they want to do in life you’re going to have your ups and downs and your hurdles. It’s how you work through it,” said Ronning, a veteran of more than 1,100 NHL games whose stops also included St. Louis, Nashville, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Minnesota.
The diminutive forward, just 5-foot-8, was told most of his life he was too small to play professionally, but he kept going and carved out a pretty successful career, scoring 306 goals and 869 points before retiring in 2004.
“That’s what we’re here for, to pass on knowledge we learned as athletes to kids who soon will be who knows – doctors or lawyers or other things in different fields,” the Burnaby, B.C. native said.
The message resonated well with 13-year-old Ethan Keesic.
“For me, when I play my sports, I try out for a lot of teams and some of them I don’t make it. So just keep trying, working hard and in the long run it will work out,” said the youngster, who had his t-shirt signed by the visiting players.
Adams, a four-time 30-goal scorer who collected 355 goals over a 17-season NHL career, said he feels a responsibility to spread a positive message to today’s youth, none of whom saw him play a single hockey game.
“We all had people come to give their time to use when we were young, so for us to come back and give time to some of the young people, it’s an obligation with what we did.”
Wednesday’s night’s exhibition should be fun for everyone, he added.
“We like to get out on the ice and skate, but there are some guys with some pretty good skill. So it’s fun for the fans to come out and see that as well.”
After the game, there will be a meet-and-greet session at Beaux Daddies restaurant.
Tickets for the game are available at the door.
