Legends of hockey were annual visitors to the area

By C. Scott Holland

For nearly a quarter century, Leamington hosted the Legends of Hockey Heroes in an exhibition contest every year, in order to raise funds for special charities.

The main charity was WE Care For Kids and during the years it was held, it managed to raise millions of dollars in funds. Those funds were wisely spent improving treatment centres and health care for our children.

The event was started and organized in the 1990s by Leamington Police Association’s Kevin O’Neil, who put together a group of hockey players from the ranks of the local police forces and health care workers.

“When we organize these hockey games, we hope to accomplish several things,” said O’Neil at the time. “We want to raise money for charity, promote the image of the Leamington Police force within the community and provide a night of affordable, family entertainment.”

NHL legend Mark Napier signs autographs in 2003 for some of the youngsters at the former Heinz Arena, where the Leamington Police Association took on the Legends of Hockey Heroes. The annual charity game raised millions of dollars for local charities over the years.

Photo courtesy of the Scott Holland Collection

While the selection of stunts and tricks were often repeated, the lineup of former NHLers changed yearly as a variety of bigger names joined the roster to draw the fans’ interests.

Among some of the names appearing in Leamington were: Borje Salming, Rick Vaive, Bernie Nicholls, Gaston Gingras, Billy Smith, Dale Hawerchuk, Mark Napier, Guy Lafleur, Doug Gilmour, Darryl Sittler, Bobby Hull, Marcel Dionne, Bryan Trottier and Steve Shutt. Of course, the Hanson Brothers became an almost yearly feature while Michael Burgess and Crazy Claude the trumpeter also made appearances.

During any of the contests, the Leamington Police and later OPP teams had players like Steve Avelar, Rich Sawyer, Todd Bell, Jim Chopchik, Bruce Scott, Mark Matheson, Mike Baker, Steve O’Neil, Darin Rickeard, Ryan Hutchinson, Chip Anderson, Scott Wilkinson, Mike Zajac, Mark Loop, Paul Anthony and Mike MacKinnon involved, with Reg Mulholland coaching.

Included in the night of fun was usually a contest midway through the game, when a group of Southpoint Mite players battled some of the NHLers for the ‘Stanley Cup’, which was magically pulled out of a hockey bag. Retired NHL referee Ron Hoggarth provided the night’s on-ice commentary.

It did not matter if a person saw one contest or them all. It was an enjoyable experience and a night of inexpensive entertainment and fun for all ages.