The Town of Taber has unveiled an impressive lineup of hockey celebrities for its upcoming Play On! street hockey tournament, scheduled for March 27 and 28. This community event comes as a response to a devastating explosion that severely damaged the Taber Community Centre in December, forcing the closure of both local arenas for the remainder of the season.
Hockey Legends Rally for Taber's Community
In a significant announcement made on Thursday, Taber officials confirmed that multiple former National Hockey League stars and a decorated Olympic athlete will participate in the tournament. The celebrity roster includes former NHL players Brian Skrudland, Kelly Buchberger, Chris Joseph, Tim Hunter, Rich Sutter, Chris Dingman, Dana Murzyn, and Zach Smith. They will be joined by Rebecca Johnston, a three-time Olympic gold medalist with Canada's women's hockey team who has also played for the Calgary Inferno and the Canadian national team.
"All hockey legends, we are honoured to welcome them to our community and having them play with our teams," stated the Town of Taber in an official news release, expressing gratitude for the athletes' participation during this challenging period for local sports facilities.
Responding to Community Crisis
The street hockey tournament was organized following the December 17 explosion at the Taber Community Centre, which caused extensive damage to both the small ice arena and curling rink areas. This incident has forced local hockey teams to relocate their games and practices to other facilities for the rest of the current season. While the town tentatively plans to reopen the larger ice arena on August 1, officials anticipate that the curling rink and small arena will remain closed throughout the next season as well.
Tim Hunter, a former NHL player and coach who won a Stanley Cup with the Calgary Flames in 1989, emphasized the importance of hockey facilities in small communities during a recent interview. "Hockey rinks are an important part of every small town, serving as a gathering place to share memories and stories about their kids playing hockey and figure skating," Hunter explained.
Personal Connections and Community Support
Hunter, who grew up playing street hockey in Calgary, shared his enthusiasm for the upcoming tournament. "It's a shame that happened with the rink, and if there's enough people show up and enough teams, we're going to have a lot of fun and raise lots of money for the help in reconstructing the building," he stated, highlighting the fundraising aspect of the event.
The former NHL player also revealed personal connections to Taber, having participated in hockey tournaments there during his youth and even playing a softball game with the Flames against local firefighters and police officers in the 1980s. "If our presence is important enough to draw a few more people and bring more attention, we're all for it," Hunter added, demonstrating his commitment to supporting the community.
A Collective Effort for Recovery
Brian Skrudland, another former NHL player participating in the tournament, echoed this sentiment of community support. "If the date is available and they've asked, it seems like you just do it," Skrudland remarked. "That's what we do for the communities and the people that have obviously supported us along the way."
The Play On! street hockey tournament represents more than just a sporting event for Taber residents. It serves as a symbol of resilience and community spirit following the arena explosion, bringing together hockey enthusiasts of all ages with some of the sport's most recognizable figures. The tournament aims to provide entertainment for local families while raising funds to support the reconstruction of the damaged community center facilities.
As Taber prepares to host this unique event, the participation of NHL veterans and an Olympic champion underscores the hockey community's solidarity with the southern Alberta town during its recovery from the December explosion that disrupted its regular sports programming.
