BLADES HOST ANNUAL CELEBRITY / ALUMNI GAME

- In honor of Bob O'Brien -

OAKVILLE, Ontario, November 17, 2008 - On Saturday November 29, 2008 at 7:30pm the Oakville Blades will be hosting their annual Celebrity / Alumni game at the Joshua Creek Arena.  The game will be played in honor of long time minor hockey volunteer Bob O'Brien.  Playing against the current Blades team will be a number of Blades Alumni and former NHL Players including, Steve Thomas, Gary Leaman, Rob Ray, Wilf Paeiment, Bill Derlago, Craig Muni and Darryl Shannon.  Former Ranger great Vic Hadfield will coach the celebrity / alumni team.  Also Playing in the game will be the Keeper of the Cup Phil Pritchard and Captain of the Oakville Ice Junior Girls team Dayan Newsom. Former NHL Officials Bryan Lewis, Blaine Angus and Angelo D'Amico will officiate the game.

"We are extremely grateful to all of the Blades Alumni players, NHL veterans and celebrities that have agreed to come out and help support both our hockey club and this event in honor of Bob O'Brien," said Blades President and Head Coach Carlo Coccimiglio.   "This will be a great event for the entire family to come out and have some fun.  There are a number of recognizable names on the roster that Oakville hockey fans are sure to remember" stated Coccimiglio.  "In keeping with our organizations goals we are reaching out to past Blades players and encouraging them to become involved with the hockey club in a number of different areas.  We realize they are a great number of players that we have not been in contact with and are hoping that events like this will promote them to contact the team."

This year's game is being played in honor of Bob O'Brien who passed away in August of this year with after a courageous battle with a rare form of basil cell carcinoma in his lungs.  Bob was one of the first players ever drafted out on Tier 2 to the NHL when Bob was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1980 entry draft.  Bob was one of the unique minor hockey volunteers that coached all the way from tyke to the AAA level.  Proceeds from the game will be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society in Bob O'Brien's name.  Members of Bob's family will be taking part in the opening puck drop before the game.

"The team is really excited to play against the former NHL players and past Blades" said Blades Captain Jeremy Welsh.  "We all realize the great history of this team and the great players that have played before us.  We are hoping that all Blades fans both past and present come out to support the event and honor a long time hockey volunteer like Mr. O'Brien"

Tickets for the game can be purchased at any Blades home game or by calling 905-220-5311.  Tickets prices are; $12 Adults / $8 Students/Seniors / $5 Children in advance - $15 Adults / $10 Students/Seniors / $7 Children at the door.

For more information;

Marty Savoy
msavoy@cogeco.ca
905-220-5311

- 30 -