NHL oldtimers returning to Metro for game

By Dwayne Tingley
Times & Transcript Staff

Feb. 18 charity match will benefit Special Olympics

Wayne Beattie works behind the scene and that’s the way he prefers it.

Beattie has been bringing NHL oldtimers teams to Metro Moncton for exhibition games for 20 years and he wants to keep the spotlight on the charities that benefit from those games rather than himself.

This year’s game, which will feature one of the best lineups ever to play at the Moncton Coliseum, is scheduled for Feb. 18. The NHL’s Greatest Oldtimers will face-off against the New Brunswick First Responder All-Stars at 7 p.m.

Proceeds from the game will be given to the Moncton branch of the Special Olympics.

“It’s an organization that is close to my heart because I have seen the great work that they do with the young people in our community,” Beattie said last night.

“It’s local. They money comes from our community and it stays in our community,” he said. “There are a lot of great community organizations out there and they could all benefit, but everyone should be proud of what the Special Olympics does for the young people of our community.”

Beattie also organizes an annual softball game during the summer which features former Canadian Football League players.

He estimates more than $100,000 has been raised for charities during the last 20 years at these hockey and softball games. Moncton’s Special Olympics has been the charity of choice for the last seven or eight years.

The oldtimers hockey roster will feature Hall of Famers like Borje Salming, Bryan Trottier, Steve Shutt, Glenn Anderson and Billy Smith. They will be joined by all-stars Rick Middleton, Bernie Nichols, Gary Leaman and Gaston Gingras and others, including New Brunswickers Gordie Gallant and Tony Currie.

Legendary Cape Breton musician Matt Minglewood will also play on the NHL team as well as sing O Canada and provide entertainment between periods.

The team will hold a pre-skate between 5-6 p.m. when ticket holders will be able to mingle and skate with the hockey stars. A post-game reception and auction will be held at the Sports Rock pub in Dieppe.

“These are a great group of guys,” Beattie said. “It’s been quite a thrill for me to meet these guys over the years and many of them I correspond with on a regular basis.

“They are here to help charities and meet the fans. They are sincere guys who are down to earth and they love meeting the fans.”

Tickets will be available at the door or by calling 1-800-379-7808.

February 1st, 2010