WHL Ride For The Kids

The Western Hockey League, the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan, Scotiabank and a group of WHL Alumni led by Kelly Chase, Dave Chartier and Curtis Leschyshyn today announced plans for a province wide celebrity bike relay in support of the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan.
The event, to be referred to as the “WHL Ride for the Kids”, presented by Scotiabank, will feature former WHL and NHL players participating in a 655 kilometer bike relay across the province of Saskatchewan to raise awareness and funding for the new Children’s Hospital in Saskatchewan.

The WHL Ride for the Kids will feature stops in all five WHL Saskatchewan centres from June 5-9, 2011 with fundraising events being staged following each leg of the relay by the Prince Albert Raiders, Saskatoon Blades, Swift Current Broncos, Moose Jaw Warriors and Regina Pats. The WHL Ride for the Kids will be launched with a kick-off event in Prince Albert on June 5 with the first leg of the bike relay starting the morning of June 6 at the Scotiabank branch in Prince Albert and concluding later that afternoon in Saskatoon.

The WHL Ride for the Kids has received a strong response from former Saskatchewan WHL and NHL players who are eager to participate in this unique fundraising event. Players who plan to participate in the event thus far include; Barrett Jackman, Jordan Eberle, Luke Schenn, Mike Sillinger, Jamie Heward, Colby Armstrong, Josh Harding and Rhett Warrener.

“Scotiabank is proud to partner with the WHL, an organization not only dedicated to excellence on the ice, but one that shares our commitment and desire to make a difference in our community,” said Kim Braun, District Vice President, Saskatchewan North District, Scotiabank. “At Scotiabank, we believe in contributing to the communities in which we live, work, and do business, and being part of such a great event in support of the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan fits perfectly with this mandate.”

“There is a part of Saskatchewan in all of us,” commented WHL and NHL Alumnus Kelly Chase, “This is a great way for us to give thanks to the Western Hockey League for all they have done for us and to thank the people of Saskatchewan by raising awareness and funds for the much needed new Children’s Hospital of Saskatchewan.”

"The Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan is grateful to the WHL, Kelly Chase, and all NHL and WHL players and former players who have taken their time to be involved in this amazing fundraiser. We are thankful for their tireless efforts in support of the new Children’s Hospital of Saskatchewan and the children and families of this province. The WHL Ride for Kids is an amazing testament to how the people of province of Saskatchewan continue to come together in supporting this wonderful project,” states Brynn Boback-Lane, President and CEO of the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan.

“The WHL and our five Saskatchewan based WHL Clubs are very excited to support this wonderful fundraising initiative by members of our WHL Alumni in support of the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “This is another great example of how passionate our players and our teams are to assist in raising funds for such an important cause in their home province.”