The awards gala for the Western Canada Cup will feature three special guests.
Former National Hockey League players Andy Moog and Brendan Morrison, along with current Vancouver Canucks defenceman Troy Stecher, will form an alumni discussion panel on May 5 at the South Okanagan Events Centre. The gala begins at 5 p.m. with a cocktail hour, followed by dinner at 6 p.m.; the awards ceremony starts at 7 p.m.
Ticket are now on sale for $75 per person with a limited amount available; gala tables seat eight. Tournament chair David Michaud said in a press release that it is going to be a special night.
“The awards gala is one of the biggest events of the Western Canada Cup schedule. It will be a great celebration of not only the hockey during the week, but a celebration of hockey in Penticton,” said Michaud. “We’re thrilled that Brendan Morrison, Andy Moog and Troy Stecher are taking time out of their busy schedules to share some stories and experiences with the players and those in attendance.”
Penticton native, Moog, played 18 seasons in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars and Montreal Canadiens. He won three Stanley Cups with the Oilers in 1984, 1985 and 1987 and is the second-fastest goaltender in NHL history to reach 300 wins. Moog played for his hometown Vees in 1978.
Morrison played 14 seasons in the NHL between the New Jersey Devils, Vancouver Canucks, Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars, Washington Capitals, Calgary Flames and Chicago Blackhawks.
Related: Morrison’s road to the NHL jumped off in Penticton
He played in 934 career regular season games, compiling 200 goals and 601 points. Morrison played with the Penticton Panthers in 1992-93 and was named the BCJHL Interior Division Rookie of the Year.
Stecher just finished his rookie season with his hometown Vancouver Canucks. The former Vees captain had three goals and 24 points in 71 games and was named the Canucks Top Defencemen. Stecher played three seasons in Penticton from 2010-2013, winning an RBC Cup national championship in 2012.
The four league commissioners from B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba will be on hand to present individual awards, along with all-tournament team awards, which include Top Scorer, MVP, Top Forward, Top Defencemen and Top Goalie, and All-Tournament Team.
A limited number of $10 Club Seat tickets will be available for fans who wish to watch the awards ceremony and alumni panel discussion only.
Tickets for the gala and club seat tickets are available at the Valley First Box Office (at the SOEC), by phoning Laura at the Vees Office, (250) 493-8337 ext. 4, or online at www.valleyfirsttix.com.