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NHL Alumni remember their hockey heroes

By: Dan Berlin, Pro-Am Blogger - 21/04/2014

For the past nine years, the Scotiabank Baycrest Pro-Am has enjoyed a remarkable run, raising more than $23 million to help “stick it to Alzheimer’s!” 

What’s its secret for success?

Not only does the Pro-Am give participants a chance to give back to a great cause, but it also affords them the opportunity to skate alongside their hockey heroes, thanks to the continued support of the NHL Alumni Association.

With some 35 former NHL players already confirmed for this year’s draft – led by the likes of hall-of-famers Doug Gilmour, Paul Coffey and Ray Bourque, to name a few – it’s literally a dream come true for those fundraisers fortunate enough to take part.

While many young Canadian boys and girls dream of one day making it to the pros, we asked some of the participating alumni who their hockey heroes were growing up.

“There’s no doubt about it, Bobby Hull was my idol.” says Toronto-native Dennis Maruk. I grew up playing youth hockey in the Marlies organization, so I was able to practice at Maple Leaf Gardens.  I would stay and watch him before practice.”

Maruk scored a career-best 60 goals with the Washington Capitals in the 1981-82 season, two more than Hull’s NHL career best of 58 with the Blackhawks 13 years earlier.

Former Toronto Maple Leafs legend Wendel Clark couldn’t pinpoint one particular player he idolized, but he relates his experiences as a young player breaking into the league to what it must feel like for fundraisers today.

“You always looked up to the [veteran] guys who were ahead of you and played on different teams… and then you got a chance to play and be with them,” says Clark, who broke into the NHL when current Pro-Am players like Marcel Dionne and Bryan Trottier ruled the ice.  

“Much like the [participants] coming out and playing with us old guys.”

Rob Pearson, a teammate of Clark’s during Toronto’s two memorable playoff runs in the early ‘90s, fondly remembers his hero as a youngster.

“Growing up, I was an Islanders fan and it was Mike Bossy,” says Pearson. “I just loved watching him shoot the puck and score goals.”

Pearson’s dedication to the Pro-Am is as impressive as Bossy’s one-time prolific scoring prowess. He even refereed the event one year when he was too injured to play.

Mike Krushelnyski, a 15-year NHL veteran and three-time Stanley Cup champion with Edmonton, wasn’t necessarily a fan of a specific team, but certain players really appealed to him.

“I was a Guy Lapointe, Bobby Orr, Serge Savard, Phil Esposito and Ken Dryden fan,” Krushelnyski recalls from those great Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins teams of the ‘70s.

He even offers some sage advice to youngsters today who dream of one day skating alongside their hockey heroes.

“It was this kid’s dream [to play pro hockey] and I was lucky enough to make it to the NHL,” says Krushelnyski.

“For all you kids out there, keep believing. It could happen!”

Help us “Stick it to Alzheimer’s” at this year’s Scotiabank Baycrest Pro-Am. Register your team or donate to this worthy cause.

Follow Dan on Twitter @Dan_Berlin and stay up on the latest event news @ScotiabankProAm.