Atb Financial Classic, Boys And Girls Club Of Calgary Partner For The Every Kid Every Community ’rinks To Links’ Event

On Monday, July 28, the ATB Financial Classic will partner with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary for the Every Kid Every Community ‘Rink to Links’ Event.

30 kids from Boys and Girls Club of Calgary (BGCC) will travel to Canmore, Alberta, courtesy of Traxx Coachlines, for this one-of-a-kind Every Kid Every Community try hockey and golf event.

The BGCC kids will be outfitted and gifted with hockey equipment, donated by Edmonton Sports Central, as well as hockey bags, socks and jerseys, donated by ATB Financial and United Cycle. Gatorade has also donated additional hockey goods for the kids to keep.

“The possibilities are endless for our kids when they have the support of so many. Their goals and dreams turn into achievements and possibilities because of companies like ATB Financial and the many other organizations and individuals who are supporting this incredible day. As Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary marks its 75^th anniversary this year – we are truly celebrating 75 years of fulfilling our promise as a community that every kid growing up in every corner of the city has the same opportunity to live a great life,” explains BGCC CEO Cheryl Doherty.

Once they are suited up, the kids will the take to the ice for a one-hour Try Hockey session led by ATB spokesman and Calgary Flames captain, Mark Giordano, former teammate Jay Bouwmeester (St.Louis), Flames draft pick Morgan Klimchuk and other NHL players such as Adam Cracknell (Los Angeles Kings), former Edmonton Oiler Jason Strudwick and newly drafted Josh Morrissey (Winnipeg Jets). ATB Financial Classic PGA Tour players, David Byrne and Micah Burke will also take to the ice along with Hockey Alberta instructors to help facilitate the session.

Following the on-ice session, the kids will head off to Stewart Creek Golf Club. After a BBQ lunch, Byrne and Burke will provide the kids with golf lessons on the driving range and putting green using golf clubs donated for the event by Stewart Creek Golf Club.

On their return to Calgary, the kids will dive into additional goodies provided by Hockey Calgary, including information on access to the game of hockey, additional funding like Every Kid Every Community and Sport Central support available to encourage new participants to sign up.

At next week’s ATB Financial Classic at the Sirocco Golf Club in Calgary, the PGA Tour Canada will make a $25,000 donation to the Every Kid Every Community Program which will support the continued growth of hockey through programs like ‘Rink to Links’.

“As part of Every Kid Every Community program we are looking for communities and groups across Alberta to create and provide unique opportunities to get kids in the game. Today is one of those unique and special events and it is because of support and connection to partners like the ATB Financial Classic and Boys and Girls Club of Calgary that has helped us to achieve that” said Scott Robinson, Executive Director Hockey Alberta Foundation."

The 2014 Hockey Alberta Foundation Golf Classic, presented by ATB Investor Services, wrapped up Tuesday at the Stewart Creek Golf Club in Canmore, Alberta. The tournament raised over $60,000 for the Hockey Alberta Foundation’s Every Kid Every Community (EKEC) Fund through event sponsorship, a live auction and a silent auction.

The EKEC Fund is designed to direct funds towards strategies that will engage communities and help them provide better access to kids who are not currently registered in hockey in Alberta. Hockey Alberta identified the need to support existing hockey programs as well as the creation of diverse hockey programs within the province, establishing the program in 2010, with the goal of making hockey accessible to all kids in Alberta. Since its introduction, the EKEC program has award grants to 18 communities for a total of $68,000 to various programs across the province.

Jordan Eberle (Edmonton Oilers), Mark Giordano (Calgary Flames), Jay Bouwmeester (St. Louis Blues), Thomas Hickey (New York Islanders), Zach Boychuk (Carolina Hurricanes), Adam Cracknell (Los Angeles Kings), Josh Morrissey (Winnipeg Jets Prospect), Morgan Klimchuk (Calgary Flames Prospect), Mike Commodore (Former NHLer), Rob Brown (Former NHLer), Jason Strudwick (Former NHLer), Perry Berezan (Former NHLer) and Lindsay Carson (Former NHLer) were among this year’s celebrity guests.

“The funds raised at this event amazes us year in and year out and serves to reinforce our belief in the EKEC Program,” said Scott Robinson, executive director of the Hockey Alberta Foundation. “We want to build onto this event and we’re constantly looking for ways to grow not only this event, but the program as a whole.”

This year’s Golf Classic also broadcasted live on the FAN960 featuring interviews with many of the celebrities in attendance.

"It was great to return to Alberta for a few days to be involved with Hockey Alberta and the Every Kid Every Community Program to help raise funds for the cause,” said Giordano. “The Flames and ATB Financial are both big supporters of hockey programs in the community so to be able to be here to represent both at this event was important to me.”

Prior to Golf Classic, the ATB Financial Classic partnered with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary (BGCC) for the EKEC ‘Rink to Links’ Event. The Rinks to Links brought 30 children from the BGCC to Canmore for a one-of-a-kind try hockey and golf event.

“We had a great group of kids from the Boys and Girls Club of Calgary and being able to spend time on the ice with those kids who may never have the opportunity or means to play hockey without programs like EKEC was worth the trip back,” added Giordano.

“Without the help of our many sponsors we wouldn’t be able to put on an event like this,” added Robinson. “Organizations like ATB Investor Services not only want to benefit children around Alberta but they also help us in putting on unforgettable experiences for everyone involved.”