Warriors gather for kids

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet

Players who once donned the maroon and gold of the West Kelowna Warriors will gather next weekend for their 3rd annual charity golf and hockey weekend.

Dozens of current and former players led by Edmonton Oilers defenceman Justin Schultz and current forward Liam Blackburn will head the list of those in town for the event.

Players will tee up at Two Eagles Golf Course and Academy 1 p.m. Friday, May 29 then don the blades for a charity hockey game against members of the West Kelowna Fire Department at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 30 at Royal LePage Place.

The local chapter of Kid Sport and Tim Hortons Camp Day will will be the beneficiaries of proceeds from the golf tournament.

Tickets are $125 each and some spots are still available.

Cost includes dinner and a silent auction.

There will also be on-course prizes including a chance to win $10,000 for a hole-in-one courtesy of Tim Hortons.

Contact the Warriors office at 250-769-7051 to reserve a spot in the golf tournament.

The following day players will gather out front at Royal LePage Place for a courtyard party with a Justin Schultz autographed jersey up for grabs.

At 6 p.m., local firefighters will lace up skates and trade hoses for hockey sticks as they face off against the Warriors alumni in what has become an annual tradition in West Kelowna the Shutout Sports Challenge Cup.

While each year teams play for bragging rights, something even more important is on the line, explains Alex Draper, Warriors Director of Business Operations.

“Obviously, from a fan standpoint it’s great fun to come out and watch former players take on our local fire fighting heroes, but the game is also an important fundraiser for the Food Bank here,” Draper explains.

“Admission to the game is by donation and while we all want fans to have a great time and enjoy the event, we also want to encourage everyone to come out and support the important work being done by our local Food Bank.”

Schultz says the weekend is something the players look forward to.

"We love it. We look forward to it every year. We get to see all the guys we used to play with and we're doing it for a good cause which is awesome. We can't wait for that weekend."

Schultz just completed his third season with the Oilers in the NHL.

And, while it was another disappointing season for the team on the ice the off season has been anything but.

The Oilers introduced a new head coach in Todd McLellan Tuesday. In seven seasons behind the bench in San Jose McLellan took the Sharks to the post season six times before missing out this past season.

"This will be my third or fourth coach now so it will be nice to maybe get a coach for more than a year and hopefully start winning," said Schultz of the coaching change.

The Oilers also brought in a new general manager in Peter Chiarelli who had previous success in Boston and, as luck would have it, will select first in this summer's entry draft and get first crack at Connor McDavid.

"It's exciting. All the guys are excited because it was something that was unexpected for us to get that pick. It's a great time to be an Oiler. I was in shock," said Schultz.

"That type of player only comes around once every-so-often. He's definitely a game changer and it's going to be exciting to have him."

"I was in shock. I didn't watch it, I was golfing and somebody told me. I was in awe. It's great.