Josh Gorges wants to continue giving back to his home town, and he's bringing a few friends to help the cause.

Gorges, who captained the Kelowna Rockets to their only Memorial Cup title in 2004, played parts of 14 seasons as a reliable, stay-at-home defenceman in the NHL.

Eight of those were with the Montreal Canadiens.

Now in retirement, Gorges desire to give back has not waned.

He, along with another ex-Rocket, Blake Comeau, continue to spearhead a fund-raising drive for the Kelowna Hospital Foundation and JoeAnna's House.

Homebase is the second annual charity softball game featuring more than a dozen current, and former NHL stars.

Players such as Shea Weber, Luke Schenn, Cary Price, Brendon Gallagher, Damon Severson, Ryan Johansen and Jordon Tootoo will be taking part.

The first event last year raised $117,000 for JoeAnna's House, and Gorges isn't shy at saying he'd like to try and double that.

"We want to set the bar high. We want to have something that you have to work to reach," said Gorges at a news conference Tuesday.

"It's possible. We got a lot of attention last year after the tournament was done. I think the potential is there to double up on our proceeds this year, but we'll see after the weekend."

As for the players involved, Gorges says it was pretty easy to get the guys who live in Kelowna or around the area, but this year, they reached out to players from around the country who they knew or played with.

"We have a few more guys involved this year, and as we keep going, we'll probably get more and more guys. We might have to try and find a way to three teams going if that's possible."

Canadiens goaltender Cary Price is one of those living in town who has no trouble suiting up for a second year.

"Josh and Blake are really good friends of mine so being able to help out a cause that's close to them is huge for me," said Price.

"It's a very good cause, and it speaks for itself. It's a fun event for players to come to, they interact with other players and fans around the backstop. I think that's the best part about it, because everybody is enjoying themselves."

While this is the second year of the Homebase initiative, it's not the first time Gorges has lent his name to a fundraising project.

Three years ago he helped raise money for renovations at his former elementary school, St. Joseph.

Gorges says he was fortunate to play hockey, and play it professionally at the highest level.

"I think with that comes a responsibility. We understand, one we are very fortunate but two, we need to use our platform, we need to use our ability and who we are as people to give back to someone else who isn't as fortunate or may be going through a tough time.

"I don't want to sound arrogant, but the name can help carry some weight, and I want to be able to use that to help people. Do something good with it. If I just sit around and do nothing with it, what's the point."

The charity all-star game goes Friday at Elk Stadium.

The evening begins with an autograph session at 5 p.m. followed by the game at 6:30.

Festivities wrap up with a tournament Saturday at Mission Sports Fields.