United Way will get boost from Hockey Challenge

Posted Feb 2, 2012 By Bill Freeman

EMC News -Norwood Mayor Doug Pearcy is hoping newlywed Defence Minister Peter MacKay brings his skates and stick to Norwood and suits up for MP Dean Del Mastro's Conservative All-Star squad in the "Hands-Up Hockey Challenge that faces off at the community centre February 17.

That might be a bit of a stretch, and fans might cut the minister a little bit of slack now that MacKay's married to former Miss World first runner-up Nazanin Afshi-Jam, but the defence minister has played on the Conservative All-Stars during past visits to Peterborough. This year Del Mastro is hosting two games, one in Norwood and a matinee contest February 18 in Peterborough with funds raised split evenly between the United Way of Peterborough and District and the Samaritan Hands-Up Foundation which Del Mastro has created through the Greater Peterborough Community Foundation.

The United Way is hoping the two games help them move closer to their 2011 goal of $2,588,500. As of press time they're $250,000 short of that target.

"I'm hoping that Peter MacKay will be there and bring his bride, that would be quite an attraction," Mayor Pearcy said last week.

"It's going to be a major event," he said of the 7 p.m. game that pits the Darling Insurance Hockey Heroes against the All-Stars. The Heroes will feature a number of local celebrities on a team organized by John Stewart.

"I think it's a major boon to the municipality to get something like this to come here," said Pearcy.

There will be a reception after the game and the bar will be open, he said.

"It's going to be quite an event."

Del Mastro will see duty between the pipes for the All-Stars which will include former Peterborough Petes and NHLers Keith Acton and Jody Hull along with a roster of MPs. They will be coached by Eve Campbell (Brampton South), Ed Holder (London West) and former NHL scout Daryl Porter.

"It's reached the point where it's a lot larger than when we originally established it," Del Mastro said during a recent stop in Havelock.

Tickets are $10 each and will be available at the door, children 12 and under get in free of charge. Paying ticket holders will also be entered into a draw being held during the game for a travel prize provided in part by West Jet.