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Cold hands, warm hearts: the official launch of the 2014 Scotiabank Baycrest Pro-Am

Scotiabank Baycrest Pro-Am Launch

By: Dan Berlin, Pro-Am Blogger - 27/01/2014

It was a cold and blustery winter day at Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square, when NHL and Toronto Maple Leafs alumni took to the ice in an outdoor exhibition game signalling the official launch of the 2014 Scotiabank Baycrest Pro-Am.

But even the frigid conditions couldn’t put a damper on anyone’s spirits, despite some slightly frostbitten fingers and toes. Those in attendance stood tall and skated strong, banding together for the ninth straight year to help “stick it to Alzheimer’s.”

Canadian rock star Sam Roberts, who took part as a special guest, acknowledges that this particular cause should be important to everyone.

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“The point is, there are very few people who aren’t afflicted by it these days or don’t have somebody they’re connected to that’s been taken by Alzheimer’s or has to live with Alzheimer’s,” said Roberts, whose own family has been hit by the disease.

“As we live longer and longer, this is something that we’re going to have to come to terms with, but also work quite harder to hopefully find a permanent solution to it,” added the lifelong Canadiens’ fan.

“That’s what this (event) is all about.”

For the record, the Montreal-born Roberts thought the minus-25 degree temperatures at gametime equated to a warm, winter day in his hometown.

This year’s event takes place May 1-3, 2014. Register a team or sponsor a 2014 Scotiabank Baycrest Pro-Am player.

For a full recap of all the day’s festivities, check out the live blog below from the official launch, held Fri. Jan. 24, 2014 at Nathan Phillips Square.