Legends of Hockey Tour takes centre ice in rural P.E.I.

Former NHL players filed into a gymnasium in Prince Edward Island signing sticks, jerseys and trading cards for a crowd of students. Maria Sarrouh reports.

Former NHL players filed into a gymnasium in rural Prince Edward Island on Wednesday, signing sticks, jerseys and trading cards for an eager crowd of students.

The visit was part of the Legends of Hockey Tour which organizers say brings retired stars to small communities across Canada. The group’s stop in Tignish, on the Island’s western tip, included time at local schools, on-ice clinics for minor hockey players and an evening game against a home roster made up largely of former Tignish Aces senior players.

The alumni delivered an anti-bullying message to a packed room.

“At the end of the day you’re a team so you gotta act like one and play like one,” said Rick Vaive, the first Toronto Maple Leafs player to score 50 goals in a season.

Also in attendance were prolific scorer Bernie Nicholls and “tough guy” Chris Nilan, along with Ron Duguay, Darius Kasparaitis, Brian Skrudland, Rich Sutter, Aaron Ward, Derian Hatcher, Sergio Momesso and Arron Asham.

Recent stops have included Digby, N.S., Florenceville-Bristol, N.B., and Big River First Nation in Saskatchewan.

“For a lot of us, none of us have been here,” said Ward, a three-time Stanley Cup champion. “For them, they’ve probably never encountered NHL players or former NHL players. It’s a good crossover.”

Some of the students brought hard-hitting questions.

“Why did you retire?” one child asked.

“The game got way too quick and I got way too slow,” said Asham, who played nearly 800 games over 15 seasons with six teams.

The former pros are now sharing their skills in a different way. After lunch, several headed to the Tignish Credit Union Arena, hosting training clinics for minor hockey players 14 and under.

The young fans soaked it all in.

“You don’t get to do this a lot. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” said Max Doucette.

“I’m really grateful that they got to come here,” said Elyse Doucette.

Garrison Arsenault said the day was “crazy” and “fun,” while Kate Gallant said it was nice to have the players come to town and run a practice.

Some were excited about mastering moves.

“They have a lot of experience, and they’ll give it over to us so we can get better,” said Quaid Sullivan.

“It’s really cool to train with them,” said Ezekiel MacDonald.

“Hopefully they can teach me some good stuff so I know how to play hockey,” said Ashton Watts.

Asked about their hockey dreams, the answers came quickly.

“(To play) in the NHL,” said Luke Buote.

“NHL,” Dominic Brawer added.

Derian Hatcher, who captained the Dallas Stars to the franchise’s first Stanley Cup in 1999, said the path starts with habits that last well beyond the rink.

“Follow your dreams. Work hard, be prepared, treat people with respect,” he said.

The day wrapped with the Aces vs. Legends game, which drew hundreds of Islanders. In the end, the Legends won 5-4, but it was still a successful night for the community, with the memories made that will linger long past the final horn.