RICHMOND HILL, Ontario – The 2008-2009 season marked the 75th anniversary of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA).  It was celebrated through a series of special events, recognition programs, commemorative merchandise and memorabilia.  It focused on our proud past, current state and exciting future.

As part of the 75th Anniversary season celebration, the OMHA launched a search for the All-Time OMHA Great Team.  The poll consisted of choices from groups of forwards, defensemen, goaltenders, on-ice officials, coaches and executives.  The OMHA All-Time Great Team was officially announced during the OMHA Annual General Meeting weekend on June 12th and 13th.

Leading vote-getters are:

Forwards
Wayne Gretzky, Brantford
Doug Gilmour, Kingston
Syl Apps, Paris

Defense
Bobby Orr, Parry Sound
Rob Blake, Simcoe

Goalie
Curtis Joseph, Keswick

Coach
Roger Neilson, Peterborough

Officials
Ray Scapinello, Guelph
Kerry Fraser, Sarnia
Bill McCreary, Guelph

Executive
Jim Rutherford, Beeton

Each person named in the All-Time Great Poll was chosen based on at least two of the following criteria:
·         Played in the OMHA at one point during their minor hockey
·         Was part of a Committee or Advisory Role with the OMHA in some fashion
·         Was a part of the National Hockey League
·         Their Hometown is a current OMHA Member Association

The OMHA worked with the NHL Alumni, NHLPA, NHL and Hockey Hall of Fame on a special recognition program for these recipients.  This includes a donation by the NHLPA Goals and Dreams Fund of five sets of hockey equipment to less fortunate players in the All-Time Great’s hometown, and a special banner presentation in the All-Time Great’s hometown.

To learn more please contact:

Kevin Boston, Ontario Minor Hockey Association
P: (905) 780-2174
E-mail: kboston@omha.net

About the Ontario Minor Hockey Association
The Ontario Minor Hockey Association, founded in 1935, is the largest minor hockey association in the world and oversees a participant base of 300,000 consisting of players, coaches, trainers, officials, hockey volunteers and parents across the province. The OMHA has 260 active member minor hockey associations and annually coordinates 31 leagues and approximately 600 development clinics throughout Ontario.  For more information, visit www.omha.net.

The world’s Number One hockey dad Walter Gretzky is getting ready once again to play host to one of the season’s premier events.  The Honorary Chair of the CNIB Celebrity Golf Classic & Memorabilia Auction will welcome hundreds to Brantford’s prestigious Golf & Country Club for the two-day event that bears his name.

This year the event begins on the Monday evening July 13th with a memorabilia auction that is sure to please everyone, from the serious collector to the interested hobbyist.  Auction items include autographed photos, personal effects, and numerous objects of interest from celebrities in every walk of fame.   The entertainment industry, sports figures, and other dignitaries will all be represented and have artefacts from which to choose.  Preview will begin at 6:00 p.m. with the auction getting underway at 7:00.  Previous year’s items have included, but are certainly not limited to signed NHL jerseys and sticks, autographed movie scripts, celebrity signed photos, and nostalgic collectibles. All are welcome, and admission is free.  There will also be a silent auction providing participants with an opportunity to capitalize on some great gift items and celebrity memorabilia at bargain prices as well.

To date this event, including both the auction and golf tournament, have raised in excess of $1,000,000 for the CNIB. The money raised is used to provide programs and services for the visually impaired, enabling them to live a more independent and improved quality lifestyle. It also provides for scholarships awarded to visually impaired students in their first year of post-graduate studies.  Walter proudly states that, “Without this program, many of these students would not be able to pursue an education, or to realize a rewarding career in their chosen field.” Yet, what he remains most proud of is the participation of so many individuals who generously give of themselves to make this event the success that it is.  He adds, “It means so much to me, and even more to them… you have no idea… Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.”

This year promises to be every bit as eventful as previous years as we hope to significantly add to our already impressive total contribution to the CNIB.  The merchandise is arriving daily, being catalogued, and prepared for auction.  Everyone involved is hard at work in preparation.

Once again this year, the auction will take place July 13th, with a scramble format golf tournament the following day Tuesday, July 14th, 2009 at the Brantford Golf & Country Club on Ava Road, Brantford, Ontario.  For more information contact Sue Bartlett at 519.753.3486.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Kevin Smith an internationally known film producer, director and actor is playing in the 3rd annual Walter Gretzky Street Hockey Tournament.

Kevin Smith, a film producer, director, screenwriter, actor and comic book writer from Los Angeles who is well known for his role as “Silent Bob” has entered a team of celebrities in the tournament, including the counterpart to his Silent Bob role, Jay (Jason Mewes).

The roster for Kevin’s team includes Smith in goal, actors Jason Mewes, Bryan Johnson and Jim Jackman; producer Scott Mosier; filmmakers Jon Gordon and Malcolm Ingram; comic book artist Walt Flanagan; View Askew web designer Ming Chen and Smith’s wife Jennifer Schwalbach.

The Hockey Hall of Fame will be at the park on Saturday from 9 am to 6pm showcasing artifacts from the HHOF; live entertainment from local bands include The Grumpies from 11:30 am to 3pm on Saturday and The Golden Ticket from 3:30 pm to 5pm on Saturday.

Doug Hunt will be performing stilt walking activities from 10 am to 12pm on Saturday; a Guitar Hero mini competition will take place from 11am to 4pm on Saturday and competitions will be taking place throughout the weekend at the  BHI mini hockey rink located beside the BHI main building.

The Knights of Columbus are operating a hospitality area and a variety of food and merchandise vendors will also be in the park during the tournament.

There will be a Silent Auction taking place on Friday and Saturday with signed memorabilia from Wayne Gretzky and Kevin Smith along with a variety of other items donated by local businesses.

The official Opening Ceremonies will take place at the BHI rink on Saturday at 1pm when Walter Gretzky welcomes special guest Kevin Smith to Brantford.  Local dignitaries and Brantford’s official Town Crier David McKee will be on hand to welcome over 70 teams from Canada and the US.

An Exhibition game will take place at the Civic Centre on Sunday at 1pm when Kevin Smith and his team of celebrities compete against Dean Blundell a Toronto radio personality from 102.1 The Edge, with a group of local teens.  Tickets are available at the door at a cost of $5.00 ea.

All proceeds raised from this year’s tournament will benefit Brantford’s Sports Facilities Infrastructure Legacy Fund.

Walter Gretzky and the Tournament Capital of Ontario Board are grateful for the generous donation and support that has been received from SC Johnson and their team of volunteers.

Join us for a weekend of FUN and sports starting Friday June 5 at 5pm until Sunday June 7 at 5pm and meet Kevin Smith and Brantford’s hometown hero Walter Gretzky.

For more information contact;
Pat Shewchuk
519-756-1500 x 5506
pshewchuk@brantford.ca

Kevin Smith is hosting a live show at the Sanderson Centre on Saturday June 6 starting at 8:00 pm.  All tickets are $30 and are available exclusively online through the View Askew website.  Limited seating!

SPECIAL GUEST! Canadian producer Scott Mosier will be participating in a LIVE SMODCAST with Kevin Smith on stage.  Seating is general admission, first come, first serve basis.

For more information contact;
Jose Marques
519-755-2722
jmarques@brantord.com

Donovan Bailey among first confirmed for this year’s Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic Presented by Samsung

THORNBURY, May 12, 2009 – Today, the Wayne Gretzky Foundation officially launched the return of the Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic presented by Samsung to Southern Ontario this July 6-12. This year’s tournament will be featured LIVE on the Golf Channel, and will also directly benefit 19 local charities in a new charity ticket program.

The new ticket program will allow 19 local charities from the Collingwood/Barrie area to sell tickets on behalf of the tournament, and keep 50% of the sales for their individual causes. Tickets are now available through the full list of charities below, as well as on www.gretzky.com/golf.

“I’m very excited about this ticket program, it’s definitely a win-win situation” said Glen Gretzky, Executive Director of the Wayne Gretzky Foundation. “For every ticket sold by these charities, they’ll receive 50% of its revenue toward their organization. It’s a great way to help the community while getting more people out to watch some of the world’s best golf talents compete.”

Also new to this year’s tournament are the first three confirmed celebrity golfers –five-time World and Olympic Champion Donovan Bailey; former NHL star Scott Thornton; and  current member of the Calgary Flames, Mike Cammalleri.

“I’m thrilled that Donovan, Scott and Mike are playing this year,” said Wayne Gretzky, Founder of the Wayne Gretzky Foundation. “The celebs are fun to see and it’s also very exciting to watch some incredible golfers vie for their chance to play on the PGA tour”.

Sponsors continue to play a large role in the tournament’s success, with Ford of Canada returning as title sponsor, Samsung as the presenting sponsor and Scotiabank also on board once again. New sponsors this year include Crescent Point Energy Trust, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Nathan’s Hot Dogs. A full list of sponsors is available at www.gretzky.com/golf.

“We’re lucky to have the continued support of our sponsors,” said Wayne Gretzky. “Events like this would never happen without them, and we’re exceptionally grateful for their ongoing commitment to making this tournament something special for all Canadians.”

Returning July 6-12, 2009, the 2009 Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic presented by Samsung will once again be played at the Georgian Bay Club and the Raven Golf Club at Lora Bay, nestled beautifully in the Thornbury / Collingwood area. As an official PGA Nationwide Tour event, celebrities and amateurs will be paired with 160 professionals in a Pro-Am format, shown LIVE on the Golf Channel. Players will once again compete for one of the largest purses on this year’s tour, $800,099. Tickets are available at www.gretzky.com/golf.

For more information, please contact:
Mark James
Cohn & Wolfe
647-259-3269
mark.james@cohnwolfe.ca

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About Wayne Gretzky Foundation
Founded in 2002, the Wayne Gretzky Foundation’s mission is to provide less fortunate youth with the opportunity to experience the sport of hockey. This goal will be accomplished through the donation of hockey equipment and ice time, as well as providing the opportunity for young people to attend professional hockey games. The Wayne Gretzky Foundation believes that hockey instills many positive life skills and contributes to the physical, emotional and social growth of young people.

THORNBURY, Ontario – The Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic presented by Samsung and the Wayne Gretzky Foundation donated $50,000 today to the new Community Family Health Centre project in Thornbury, Ontario. As part of the proceeds from last year’s inaugural Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic presented by Samsung, the money will be used to build a new clinic in Thornbury, ensuring quality healthcare for residents for years to come.

“I’m thrilled that the foundation can help the community that has already given us so much,” said Wayne Gretzky, Founder of the Wayne Gretzky Foundation. “Last year was a great success because of the volunteers and residents that went out of their way to welcome the golfers, celebrities, media and fans. With such great community support, we really feel confident that this year’s tournament will be even better than the last”.

Last summer, more than 650 volunteers from the surrounding area helped to make the 2008 inaugural tournament a great success, drawing more than 10,000 fans in attendance. With this year’s event scheduled for July 6-12, Glen Gretzky was proud to present the cheque on behalf of both the Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic presented by Samsung and the Wayne Gretzky Foundation.

“It’s a great feeling to give back to this community,” said Glen Gretzky, Executive Director of the Wayne Gretzky Foundation. “This year will be better than ever, and we can’t wait to see everyone back for a great event, in support of a great cause”.

The 2009 Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic presented by Samsung will once again be played at the Georgian Bay Club and the Raven Golf Club at Lora Bay, nestled beautifully in the Thornbury / Collingwood area. As an official PGA Nationwide Tour event, celebrities and amateurs will be paired with 160 professionals in a Pro-Am format. Players will once again compete for one of the largest purses on this year’s tour, $800,099.

Visit Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic presented by Samsung

WG Authentic – the official company of Wayne Gretzky memorabilia – announces the launch of its new online store on Gretzky.com, located at www.gretzky.com/shop. This updated store features unique and limited edition autographed memorabilia from Wayne, plus other legends of hockey, including Gordie Howe, Guy Lafleur, Bobby Orr and Mario Lemieux, with much more to come.

Items currently available for sale include framed photos and high definition canvas prints capturing moments from the storied careers of some of the game’s all-time greats. Additional collectables are also available and more products are being added each week, including signed Gretzky jerseys and items autographed by top athletes throughout the world of sports and legends of their respective games, such as Steve Nash, Sidney Crosby and Muhammad Ali.

Gretzky.com/shop has been designed to better serve our customers with an easy to navigate interface. Additionally, online accounts can be created that will allow customers to personalize their Gretzky.com/shop experience by creating wish lists and being among the first to learn about new items and exclusive offers. Shipping is easy from Gretzky.com/shop and the new store will allow customers to track the progress of their order.

For more information, please visit www.gretzky.com/shop or contact WG Authentic at (480) 778-1899.

ESTATE SERIES SHIRAZ/CABERNET WINS BEST RED ASSEMBLAGE AT CUVÉE 2009

The 2006 WGE Estate Series Shiraz/Cabernet has made its competition debut, winning Best Red Assemblage at Cuvée 2009. The double-blind, peer-judged competition, billed as “the Oscars of the Ontario wine industy”, is a red-carpet celebration of excellence in Ontario winemaking.

The Wayne Gretzky Estate Series wines have been crafted in celebration of the diversity and excellence of vineyards on the Niagara Peninsula. The 2006 Estate Series Shiraz/Cabernet has its roots in a single vineyard site from the St. David’s Bench sub-appellation, a geographical area that has quickly risen to prominence through the consistent production of highly complex, concentrated red wines.

Powerful, poised, and cellar-worthy, this blend of 70% Shiraz and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon was created through individual barrel evaluation, each selected to demonstrate why this sub-appellation is one to watch.

Winemakers Craig McDonald and Rob Power are “extremely proud of our hardworking team” in creating such a unique Shiraz-based blend for the launch of the Estate Series. Says McDonald: ”The win showcases a new level of commitment and focus in our estate vineyards which are truly at the core of our success.

Together with the collaborative partnerships of our valued growers and their prized vineyards, wines like the Shiraz/Cabernet capture the potential of Niagara and highlight the future of red winemaking at Wayne Gretzky Estates”.

This wine is available direct from the winery, at selected licensees, online at gretzkyestatewines.com, and will be released in the LCBO Vintages program later this year.

View pictures from around Wayne Gretzky’s restaurant in Toronto, Ontario.

Campers were treated to a surprise guest after practice on Day 2 at Wayne’s fantasy camp.  None other than Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe joined Walter Gretzky to host a private event at WG Authentic’s new warehouse office in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Gordie joined the 2009 participants as they cheered on Wayne while his Coyotes were on the road in Nashville. Team rosters were also announced as the chase for the Gretzky Cup begins.

Camp News