Photo: Wayne Moore - File Photo

Josh Gorges, centre

Several NHL stars will swap their sticks for bats to raise money for JoeAnna's House.

The celebrity slo-pitch game, slated for the Canada Day long weekend, is being hosted by former Kelowna Rockets Josh Gorges and Blake Comeau.

The tournament, dubbed HOMEBASE, will support the KGH Foundation's campaign to build the facility, a home away from home for families of patients who have to travel to Kelowna General Hospital for care.

Gorges, who now skates for the Buffalo Sabres, came up with the idea for a charity slo-pitch tournament last summer.

“This community has given me so much, I’ve wanted to find a way to give back for a really long time,” says Gorges. When I heard about JoeAnna’s House, I knew it was the right thing to do. I talked to a few of the guys and they were into it, and here we are."

Gorges and Comeau have recruited 14 other NHL stars, and their wives, including Shea Weber, Ryan Johansen, Brendan Gallagher and Jordin Tootoo. Other names will be released at a later date.

Co-ed slo-pitch teams of all levels will compete against two teams of hockey players June 30 at the Mission Sportsfields. The night before, players will gather for an autograph signing at King Stadium from 5 until 6 p.m., followed by an NHL celebrity game.

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