The greatest trophy in sports is coming to Chilliwack Oct. 26.
The Holy Grail of Hockey, the Stanley Cup, will be the featured guest at this year’s Chilliwack Sports Dinner, a fundraiser banquet for the Chilliwack Sports Hall of Fame and the Chilliwack Chiefs Scholarship Fund.
The Cup will be accompanied by a National Hockey League Hall of Famer who hoisted Lord Stanley’s Mug in the twilight of his legendary career.
Lanny McDonald played 1,227 regular season and playoff games in the NHL.
His last one was game six of the 1988-89 final. The 39 year old Albertan went out the way every player dreams of going out, scoring once for Calgary in a 4-2 series-clinching win over the Montreal Canadiens.
“Imagine the stories Lanny collected over 17 big league seasons,” said Chilliwack Sports Hall of Fame spokesman Barry Douglas. “This is a special opportunity to hear some of those stories and share time with a man who has played hockey at the highest level possible.
“It’s also a chance to verify that Lannny’s moustache has retained its legendary status.”
This is the second time in recent years the Stanley Cup has visited Chilliwack. Former Bruins owner Brian Burke brought the Cup with him to Cottonwood Mall after his Anaheim Ducks won the championship in 2007.
“The lineup was literally around the mall that day,” Douglas recalled. “It was an amazing response from Chilliwack and I expect that excitement to be matched and probably exceeded this time.
“To have the Stanley Cup and a hockey legend of Lanny’s stature in Chilliwack on the same day is something that may never happen again.”
This is the second edition of the Chilliwack Sports Dinner, which doubles as the induction ceremony for the CSHOF.
Last year’s event featured Wally Buono from the B.C. Lions, Bobby Lenarduzzi from the Vancouver Whitecaps and Stan Smyl from the Vancouver Canucks in a sports round-table discussion that was moderated by Global TV sports anchor Squire Barnes.
Canadian national ultimate frisbee icon Lara Mussell-Savage and longtime Chiefs head coach/general manager Harvey Smyl were inducted.
“The CSHOF will announce the Class of 2017 in August,” Douglas said. “Lara and Harvey were exceptional inductees last year and the presence of our 2017 inductees will make a special event even better.
“Anyone attending this year’s Chilliwack Sports Dinner at Squiala Hall will enjoy an unforgettable experience.”
For tickets and information email the Chilliwack Sports Hall of Fame at CSHOFtickets@gmail.com or call 604-793-6340.