DEER LAKE Rick Middleton was a shifty winger with the Boston Bruins during the 1970s. Andre Dupont was a tough customer with the Philadelphia Flyers during the glory days of the Broad Street Bullies. Darren Langdon of Deer Lake played 521 games in the National Hockey League earning his living as a resident tough guy.
These are just a few of the NHL Legends who will allow local hockey fans to relive the past when the Hodder Memorial Recreation Complex hosts an exhibition game featuring ex-pros Nov. 2 in Deer Lake.
The NHL Legends will tangle in a no-contact exhibition contest against a group of players who have roots with the past in Deer Lake hockey circles at all levels of play. Most of the local roster will feature some of the former junior hockey stars and a handful of hockey supporters in the town such as Desmond Ball, president of the Deer Lake Minor Hockey Association.
The game is brought to the hockey community by the Town of Deer Lake, who also hosted a Boston Bruins Alumni game last winter that saw a big crowd show up to see some of their favourite Bruins in action.
Recreation director Junior Pinksen expects ticket sales to pick up over the next few weeks, especially when senior hockey starts up later this month and with the NHL shut down with the lockout. He also believes fans will be treated to an entertaining evening of hockey.
“Somebody will be doing play-by-play action while the game is going on. They did it last year and it really captivated everybody,” Pinksen said, noting there will be a few prize draws and a surprise or two during the game.
The NHL Legends roster also includes Al Iafrate, Alain Cote, Ron Duguay, Mike Krushelnyski and Stephane Richer. The NHL Legends also hope to sign Deer Lake mayor Dean Ball to a one-game tryout for the big game.
The host squad is comprised of goalie Jason George, Chad Halfyard, Travis Hoffe, Jake Easton, Dave Butt, Des Ball, Graydon Rodgers, Mike Ball, David Pelley, Gary Curtis, Trevor Reid, Keith Anderson and coach Todd Stark.
Tickets for the game will be available Wednesday to Friday from 1-6 p.m. at the Hodder Memorial Recreation Complex right up to game night. Pinksen also said a maxium of 50 tickets are on sale for a meet-and-greet at the Deer Lake Motel after the game for fans who want to meet some of their favourite legends of the past.
