Riders to lace up skates for Winter Classic charity hockey game in Saskatoon
2h ago
Current and former Riders will be joined by some former NHL players.
Normally football is the game, but this weekend it is hockey as the Roughrider Foundation Winter Classic Charity Hockey Game is played on Saturday.
As well as Saskatchewan Roughriders, a handful of former National Hockey League players will also be lacing up again at Merlis Belsher Place in Saskatoon.
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“Mitch Picton’s coming back, Peter Godber’s coming — both played last year,” said Brett Lauther, Riders kicker on the CKOM Morning Show. “Mike Sillinger’s coming out (too).”
Joe Kocur from Kelvington, Sask., and Luke Gazdic from Toronto are also a part of the lineup.
Kocur played 15 years in the NHL, winning three Stanley Cup and donning the jersey for Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks.
Gazdic played four years in the NHL, splitting his time between the Edmonton Oilers and New Jersey Devils. He is now part of Sportsnet’s Hockey Central TV program.
Former Rider Chris Getzlaf and Lauther are the two team captains.
Former Rider wide receiver Ajou Ajou will be the coach of Team Lauther, and current Rider receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker will coach Team Getzlaf.
Lauther joked that some of the Riders are a little scary on the ice.
“… It’s always a lot of fun and I’m trying to stay out of their way that’s for sure,” he said. “I definitely should mention Chris (Getzlaf) is a really good hockey player, I think everyone knows that.”
Getzlaf’s brother Ryan played 17 seasons in the NHL all with the Anaheim Ducks.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Roughrider Foundation’s Win with Wellness presentation series
This is the third year the event has taken place and Lauther said he can’t wait to raise more money.
“(The money is) for the mental wellness program we’re doing across the province,” said Lauther. “We’ve got a lot of different guys doing it this year, more than ever.”
That program helps kids in Saskatchewan with their mental wellness.
Puck drop is at 1 p.m.
Read more:
- Defensive backs, linemen a need for Riders ahead of free agency
- Riders have continuity in place on offence ahead of CFL free agency