RichardGraham
06-27-2003, 04:07 AM
Toronto to host Battles of the Best:
Roller Hockey Event of the Summer to Take Place to Raise Money for Leukemia Research
TORONTO. On Sunday, July 13, 2003, Greater Toronto Inline (GTI), along with the Canadian Inline Hockey Association (CIHA) and Great Lakes Inline Junior A League (GLI) are hosting a very special event to raise money for the Leukemia Research Fund of Canada.
The event will feature two games. Game one will pit some of the top roller hockey players in Toronto against a "dream team" of players consisting of NHLer's (including Aaron Downey of the Dallas Stars) and members of the Men's and Women's Team Canada National Roller Hockey Team (who will be fresh from the World Championships in the Czech Republic). Game two will be the Great Lakes Inline All-star game, featuring the top Junior A roller hockey players in Ontario battling it out in this 1st annual event. These games will mark some of the highest caliber roller hockey to be played in Canada this summer - whether you are fan of roller hockey, or have never seen a live game before, you will not want to miss this event!
The games will be held at The Ice Gardens (989 Murray Ross Pkwy, at York University, in North York - just southeast of Jane and Steeles). Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and children 12 and under. Seating.is general admission, and can accommodate hundreds of people both in the facility, and in the observation deck within the restaurant. In addition to the two feature games, there will be food, fan contest challenges, a 50/50 draw, and a silent auction - with all proceeds going to leukemia research.
There is a very personal side behind the concept of this event. James Dinneen, co-founder of Greater Toronto Inline and one of the event organizers, was diagnosed with Leukemia in December of 2002. At just 31 years of age, with a wife and two young children, the diagnosis and subsequent treatments have been devastating for him and his family. James has been receiving ongoing chemotherapy and treatment at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, where there is some hope that a bone marrow transplant might help him beat the disease. But James is not the only person involved who is affected by this disease. While in hospital, James met up with Kyle Downey, a 20-year old accomplished ice hockey player and snowboard instructor, and younger brother to Aaron Downey of the Dallas Stars. He too has been recently struck down by this disease, and both he and his family are also facing the hardships of treatment and a hope for a cure. The two, who were roommates while both in hospital, became fast friends, and their mutual interest in hockey and the common belief in the need to support research for leukemia gave them the idea for this event. Armed with only laptops and phones while in their hospital beds, they set out to make a concept a reality.
"For two sick guys in hospital beds, they've done a lot of work to make this event come together," says Greater Toronto Inline President Robert Coughlin. "This event will make for a great afternoon not only for seasoned fans, but for anybody who attends who is interested in experiencing a sport they may not know very much about - and all for a great cause."
"We're telling everyone to spread the word, and get their family and friends to join them at what is truly shaping up to be the Roller Hockey event of the Summer. We're hopeful lots of folks will come out to support the cause, and enjoy some great roller hockey."
For more information on this event, please contact Robert Coughlin at (416) 733-3711 or James Dinneen at 416 244 3227. You may also go to Greater Toronto Inline's website for additional news, at www.RollerHockey.TO. For more information on leukemia, leukemia research, and of the Leukemia Research Fund of Canada, please go to www.leukemia.ca. To see the facility, please view at www.icegardens.com.
***
Sincerely,
Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central
Roller Hockey Event of the Summer to Take Place to Raise Money for Leukemia Research
TORONTO. On Sunday, July 13, 2003, Greater Toronto Inline (GTI), along with the Canadian Inline Hockey Association (CIHA) and Great Lakes Inline Junior A League (GLI) are hosting a very special event to raise money for the Leukemia Research Fund of Canada.
The event will feature two games. Game one will pit some of the top roller hockey players in Toronto against a "dream team" of players consisting of NHLer's (including Aaron Downey of the Dallas Stars) and members of the Men's and Women's Team Canada National Roller Hockey Team (who will be fresh from the World Championships in the Czech Republic). Game two will be the Great Lakes Inline All-star game, featuring the top Junior A roller hockey players in Ontario battling it out in this 1st annual event. These games will mark some of the highest caliber roller hockey to be played in Canada this summer - whether you are fan of roller hockey, or have never seen a live game before, you will not want to miss this event!
The games will be held at The Ice Gardens (989 Murray Ross Pkwy, at York University, in North York - just southeast of Jane and Steeles). Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and children 12 and under. Seating.is general admission, and can accommodate hundreds of people both in the facility, and in the observation deck within the restaurant. In addition to the two feature games, there will be food, fan contest challenges, a 50/50 draw, and a silent auction - with all proceeds going to leukemia research.
There is a very personal side behind the concept of this event. James Dinneen, co-founder of Greater Toronto Inline and one of the event organizers, was diagnosed with Leukemia in December of 2002. At just 31 years of age, with a wife and two young children, the diagnosis and subsequent treatments have been devastating for him and his family. James has been receiving ongoing chemotherapy and treatment at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, where there is some hope that a bone marrow transplant might help him beat the disease. But James is not the only person involved who is affected by this disease. While in hospital, James met up with Kyle Downey, a 20-year old accomplished ice hockey player and snowboard instructor, and younger brother to Aaron Downey of the Dallas Stars. He too has been recently struck down by this disease, and both he and his family are also facing the hardships of treatment and a hope for a cure. The two, who were roommates while both in hospital, became fast friends, and their mutual interest in hockey and the common belief in the need to support research for leukemia gave them the idea for this event. Armed with only laptops and phones while in their hospital beds, they set out to make a concept a reality.
"For two sick guys in hospital beds, they've done a lot of work to make this event come together," says Greater Toronto Inline President Robert Coughlin. "This event will make for a great afternoon not only for seasoned fans, but for anybody who attends who is interested in experiencing a sport they may not know very much about - and all for a great cause."
"We're telling everyone to spread the word, and get their family and friends to join them at what is truly shaping up to be the Roller Hockey event of the Summer. We're hopeful lots of folks will come out to support the cause, and enjoy some great roller hockey."
For more information on this event, please contact Robert Coughlin at (416) 733-3711 or James Dinneen at 416 244 3227. You may also go to Greater Toronto Inline's website for additional news, at www.RollerHockey.TO. For more information on leukemia, leukemia research, and of the Leukemia Research Fund of Canada, please go to www.leukemia.ca. To see the facility, please view at www.icegardens.com.
***
Sincerely,
Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central