Portage College Presents 'Hockey Night in Lac La Biche' with Grant Fuhr
On March 30, 2012, the Portage College Annual Sports and Education Dinner will reach new heights with special guest, Hockey Hall of Famer, Grant Fuhr. This year's event has been dubbed, "Hockey Night in Lac La Biche." It's a must-attend event that will see the Lac La Biche college gym transformed into a hockey rink, complete with a penalty box, dressing room and "commentary" like you've never heard before!
But that's just part of what this 12th annual event holds for the community. In fact, Grant Fuhr's visit to Lac La Biche County will also see him participating in two other community events. On the evening of March 29, Portage College and Grant Fuhr will host a free evening at the Bold Centre, where Fuhr will be on hand to say hello and maybe even referee a game of ball hockey for kids of all ages.
At noon on March 30, at Portage College, Fuhr will host an exclusive lunch for 30 school kids from Lac La Biche and surrounding areas. Guests at this luncheon will be selected to attend by their schools. This event has already received the generous sponsorship of Lac La Biche Building Products.
Wayne Gretzky has said on many occasions that he believes Fuhr is the greatest goaltender in NHL history. This is mentioned in an interview with Wayne Gretzky conducted by John Davidson as part of the 2003 DVD "Ultimate Gretzky."
Grant Fuhr held a 19-year career in the NHL from 1981 until 2000. In 2003, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. He played for the Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and Calgary Flames. While playing with the Edmonton Oilers he won four Stanley cups. In 1987, he won 40 games and made the All-Star game. In 1988, Fuhr won his only Vezina Trophy as the NHL's top goaltender.
On July 22, 2004, he was hired by Wayne Gretzky as goaltender coach for the Phoenix Coyotes.
Besides a great special guest, generous sponsors also add to the success of the annual Sports and Education event. As well, many, many donors contribute auction items, which are bid on, and purchased by guests at the event. This year's event will focus on the enormous breadth and variety of goods and services available in our community and we are hoping to showcase these services through the variety of donations we receive for silent auction. As a special feature this year, the College will be selling "rink boards" for display at the event-a great way to support athletic scholarships and advertise local business.
The meal will be prepared by Portage College's culinary services staff, and will be preceded by a wine and appetizers reception, beginning at 5:30. During the evening, both a silent auction and a live auction will be held. Watch the Portage College website (www.portagecollege.ca) which will soon preview a selection of both live and silent auction items available the evening of March 30.
As part of the live auction, just for starters, the college is auctioning off a golf foursome with Grant Fuhr AND a piece of signed Sidney Crosby memorabilia.
For ticket information, please contact Jennifer Hay at 780-623-6678. For sponsorship opportunities, please call Leona Geller at780-623-5591.
