DOCS On Ice Hockey Event Will Bring Over 500 Doctors To Thunder Bay
by Scott A. Sumner
Thunder Bay Business
Over 500 doctors in 40 teams from across Ontario will visit Thunder Bay for Docs on Ice 2008, which will be held on April 3rd - 5th ,2008 at 6 arenas across the city. It was announced the proceeds from the tournament will support two local charities- P.R.O. Kids Thunder Bay
and the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre- Pediatrics Unit.
“ Each team plays 4 games over the course of the weekend. We want to have the last game that the Thunder Bay team is playing advertised to get the public out and pay an admission charge or donation which will go to our charities. Perhaps some NHL retired people will
participate as well. We want to get 3000 people out to support the doctors and create a buzz about Thunder Bay,” noted Co Chair of the event, Dr Andrew Affleck, an emergency room physician. “ All of the games are open to the public. We have 18 doctors playing on our Thunder Bay team. There are several divisions and Thunder Bay has been in the B division for the last several years. The Staal and Pyatt families have been directly involved to help us get the public involvement.”
“ Dr. Affleck talked to my son’s this summer. They would like to donate back to the community as much as possible,” noted Henry Staal, father of NHLer's Eric, Jordan and Marc with Jared in the OHL.
How is it being a hockey Dad?
“ Watching the three sons means a lot of travelling and I don’t plan that far ahead but should see 25 games this season. Jared is 17 in Sudbury and having a pretty start. Hockey players are not born. It takes a lot of work and Jared knows it. It doesn’t always happen at 18, like with Jordan, but maybe at 23 or 24- but he will work hard at it. If it works out that’s great. He will be in the NHL draft year this year and has 8 or 9 goals this year compared to last year with only 2
all year. He worked out this summer with Eric, Jordan and Marc and outworked them with a trainer at the track and club. Jordan is struggling with finding the back of the net but is playing well. I am a proud father, you roll with it.”
