Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning and P.K. Subban of the Montreal Canadiens will lead teams of fellow locked out NHLers in the RBC Play Hockey Charity Challenge, the National Hockey League Players’ Association announced Wednesday.
Over 30 NHLPA members will take part in a five-on-five, 60-minute game on Dec. 19 at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto, which is located at the site of the former Maple Leaf Gardens.
Other players scheduled to participate include Dion Phaneuf, Phil Kessel, James Neal, Tomas Kaberle, Mike Komisarek, Logan Couture, Kris Versteeg, Niklas Kronwall and John-Michael Liles. Complete Team Stamkos and Team Subban rosters will be announced in the coming days.
Stamkos is a two-time NHL leading goal-scorer and two-time all-star who says it will be a fun experience for both fans and players involved.
“The RBC Play Hockey Charity Challenge is a great opportunity to share the joy and excitement of hockey with our fans. I’m looking forward to playing alongside this impressive lineup of fellow NHL players while helping to raise funds to benefit local hockey programs across the country,” Stamkos said in a press release.
“RBC is committed to helping hockey happen, at every level and in every community across North America and I’m proud to partner with them and bring this event to Toronto.”
Proceeds from ticket sales will go towards benefitting grassroots hockey programs through the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund and RBC Play Hockey.
“The NHLPA shares RBC’s commitment to supporting hockey at the grassroots level,” said former NHLer Mathieu Schneider, who serves as an NHLPA special assistant to the executive director,
“The participating NHLPA members are excited about the chance to skate in front of Toronto hockey fans on Dec. 19. The Players are committed to growing our great sport while raising funds to help less fortunate children get the equipment and resources they need to play the game.”
Tickets are $25 and go on sale on Dec. 13 on ticketmaster.ca.