10 countries in 10 days world tour celebrates NHLPA Goals & Dreams 10th anniversary
NHLPA Goals & Dreams to donate more than $125,000 worth of hockey equipment …CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada to produce one-hour TV show on world tour
The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) announced today that the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund will celebrate its 10th anniversary this November by embarking on a “10 countries in 10 days” world tour, donating $125,000 worth of hockey equipment to grassroots hockey programs along the way.
NHLPA Goals & Dreams Ambassadors are embarking on an ambitious, yet extremely meaningful journey to visit “10 countries in 10 days”, beginning in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden on November 13th and making stops in Finland, Russia, Latvia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bosnia, Germany, the United States, and concluding in Toronto, Canada on November 22nd.
“This initiative is all about giving back, which is why we are continuing to donate even more equipment to kids who need our help during this one-of-a-kind tour,” said NHLPA Goals & Dreams Ambassador and former NHL player Rob Zamuner. “NHLPA members are very proud of the NHLPA Goals & Dreams program, now in its 10th year. We are looking forward to spreading the word so more children can pick up a stick and play the great game of hockey.”
Zamuner, along with fellow NHLPA Goals & Dreams Ambassador and former NHL player P.J. Stock, will join NHLPA Goals & Dreams Chairman, Devin Smith and Program Manager, Matt Langen for the full “10 countries in 10 days” world tour.
During the world tour, NHLPA Goals & Dreams will donate 25 sets of brand-new hockey equipment to a local grassroots hockey program in each country that is visited, for a total of 250 complete sets, worth approximately $125,000. In most locations, a retired NHL player from each of the 10 destination countries will also participate in the festivities taking place in his native country, including: Pavel Bure, Arturs Irbe, Jyrki Lumme, Jaroslav Modry, Markus Naslund, Martin Rucinsky, Martin Straka, Esa Tikkanen and more.
“I’m thrilled that NHLPA Goals & Dreams is kicking off the world tour in Ornskoldsvik,” says former NHL All-Star Markus Naslund, who has been actively involved in NHLPA Goals & Dreams for several years and will also be joining the tour for stops in Helsinki and Moscow, in addition to the first stop in his hometown in Sweden. “This tour is a great example of how NHLPA Goals & Dreams helps develop grassroots hockey programs in my home country of Sweden, and all around the world.”
“It’s an honour to represent CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada and NHLPA Goals & Dreams on this world tour,” said P.J. Stock, studio analyst, CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada. “This program is truly impressive, and our unique broadcast will showcase the generosity that NHL players have exhibited for the past decade.”
CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada is sending a film crew to document the entire trip and produce a one-hour television special, to be aired in December, which will capture the key elements and spirit of the tour.
“CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada supports the greatest athletes in the world and their efforts to give back to the game,” said Sherali Najak, executive producer, CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada. “It’s important that people know how much these players care about community and work to grow the sport. We are looking forward to capturing this amazing race of 10 countries in 10 days.”
After travelling a total distance of 19,603 kilometers, the tour will conclude with a celebration at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto on Sunday, November 22nd, the site where NHLPA Goals & Dreams was first launched 10 years ago. NHL Alumni, players from the Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Islanders, and children who are receiving equipment from their hockey heroes will attend the wrap-up event.
NHLPA GOALS & DREAMS “10 COUNTRIES IN 10 DAYS” WORLD TOUR:
———————————————————
Day// Date// Location// NHL Player(s)
— —- ——– ————-
1 Fri// Nov. 13th// Ornskoldsvik, Sweden// Zamuner, Stock, Naslund
2 Sat// Nov. 14th // Helsinki, Finland// Zamuner, Stock, Lumme, Naslund
3 Sun// Nov. 15th// Moscow, Russia// Zamuner, Stock, Bure, Naslund
4 Mon// Nov. 16th// Riga, Latvia// Zamuner, Stock, Irbe
5 Tues// Nov. 17th// Prague, Czech Republic// Zamuner, Stock, Modry, Rucinsky, Straka
6 Wed// Nov. 18th// Trnava, Slovakia// Zamuner, Stock, TBD
7 Thur// Nov. 19th// Sarajevo, Bosnia// Zamuner, Stock, TBD
8 Fri// Nov. 20th// Frankfurt, Germany// Zamuner, Stock, TBD
9 Sat// Nov. 21st// New York, USA// Zamuner, TBD
10 Sun// Nov. 22nd// Toronto, Canada// Zamuner, Stock,Islanders, Leafs
NHLPA Goals & Dreams:
In 1999, the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) launched the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund as a way for the players to give something back to the game they love. Over the past 10 years, more than 350 former and current NHLPA members have been personally involved in helping facilitate NHLPA Goals & Dreams donations in either their hometown or their NHL playing cities. The players’ program has donated full sets of hockey equipment to more than 13,000 economically disadvantaged children and assisted with upgrades and the building of hundreds of arenas, in 21 countries world-wide. Most donated hockey equipment is re-used by the recipients, which has furthered the cause and provided more than 40,000 children with the opportunity to play the great sport of hockey. The NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund is funded solely by the members of the NHLPA and is the largest grassroots hockey program in the world.
Source: National Hockey League Players’ Association
SIRIUS XM Radio announces extensive broadcast coverage of 2009-10 NHL Season
Live play-by-play of NHL games will be available to XM subscribers and SIRIUS subscribers with the “Best of XM” NHL Home Ice channel offers hockey talk and analysis 365 days a year
SIRIUS XM Radio will offer listeners around the country comprehensive coverage of the 2009-10 NHL season with an extensive schedule of live play-by-play of NHL games and daily hockey talk on the NHL Home Ice channel.
Starting with tonight’s Opening Night games and through the Stanley Cup Final, XM listeners will have access to live play-by-play of every regular season and playoff game on XM channels 204-209. SIRIUS subscribers with the “Best of XM” programming package will get most regular season games and every NHL postseason game on SIRIUS channels 208-220.
In addition to live games, SIRIUS XM offers the 24/7 hockey talk radio channel, NHL Home Ice, on XM channel 204 and SIRIUS channel 208 with the “Best of XM.” NHL Home Ice features live play-by-play, plus hockey talk, news and analysis every day of the year.
NHL Home Ice features the weekly live show, NHL Hour, hosted by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and a rotation of League executives, including Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly and Senior Executive VP of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell. The hour-long show, co-hosted by former NHL player Bill Clement, debuts today and airs every Thursday (4:00 pm ET). NHL Hour provides listeners with the latest news and events from the highest levels of the NHL and encourages fans to submit questions by calling 1-877-NHL-ON-XM or emailing HOMEICE@xmradio.ca.
NHL fans can also tune in to SIRIUS channel 122 for CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada Radio (weekdays, 4:00 – 7:00 pm ET), hosted by Jeff Marek, Kelly Hrudey, Cassie Campbell Pascall, Craig Simpson and Scott Morrison.
On SIRUS XM Sports Nation, SIRIUS channel 122 and XM channel 143, former New York Rangers forward Ron Duguay and former New Jersey Devils defenseman Ken Daneyko host their weekly show, Ice Breakers (Thursdays, 7:00 – 9:00 pm ET), a lifestyle-themed show that features the duo’s thoughts on the NHL, lifestyle, entertainment and more.
Source: SIRIUS XM Radio
Tips on Skiing Safely From the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
A day of family skiing in Canada ended with actress Natasha Richardson hospitalized with a severe brain injury. While this type of injury may be the exception and not the rule, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers some important information and tips on how to maximize safety while on the slopes.
- Be aware of the cold temperatures and slippery surfaces those frigid temperatures can produce on the ski slopes
- Always wear proper clothing and protective gear such as: helmets, goggles and padding, and make sure equipment is in good working order and used properly.
- Avoid cold muscles, tendons and ligaments they are more susceptible to injury. To avoid this, do some light exercises for at least 3 to 5 minutes, then slowly and gently stretch the muscles to be exercised, holding each stretch for at least 30 seconds
- When falling, try to fall on your side or buttocks. Roll over naturally, turning your head in the direction of the roll.
- Know and abide by all rules of the sport in which you are participating.
- Never ski, sled, ice skate, snowmobile or snowboard alone.
- Avoid participating in sports when experiencing pain or exhaustion.
- Take frequent water breaks to prevent dehydration and overheating.
- Become familiar with the whereabouts of fences, trees, rocks, open water and patches of ice.
- Stay on marked trails and avoid potential avalanche areas, such as steep hillsides with little vegetation.
- Be prepared for emergency situations and have a plan to reach medical personnel to treat injuries.
- Wear proper footwear that provides warmth and dryness, as well as ample ankle support.
- Pay attention to warnings about upcoming storms and severe drops in temperature to ensure safety.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2007:
- Snowboarding was the leading cause of winter sports injuries, sending 149,388 people to hospital emergency rooms, doctors’ offices, clinics and other medical settings.
- Skiing came in second with 131,454 injuries.
- Other sports and activities on the list include:
- Ice skating with 58,380 injuries
- Ice hockey with 47,594 injuries
- Sledding and tobogganing with 107,890 injuries
- Snowmobiling with 34,699 injuries
For more information go to www.orthoinfo.org
Source: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons