Layton & Mathyssen Join NHL Oldtimers in Charity Hockey Game

London—NDP leader Jack Layton (MP, Toronto-Danforth), joined NDP MP Irene Mathyssen (London-Fanshawe) in London for a special visit to the John Labatt Centre for the NHL Oldtimers Hockey Challenge. The annual event, has former NHL players facing off against members of the local police force in a charity hockey game.

In the afternoon, Layton laced up the skates for a free pre-game skate was held at the John Labatt Centre, where he and the NHLers took to the ice with Londoners of all ages.

Layton and Mathyssen joined the London Police Colour Guard in presenting a cheque for $108,000—the proceeds from the game—to Special Olympics during the pregame ceremonies.

Layton served as the honourary coach for the NHL Oldtimers, featuring hockey greats Dale Hawerchuk, Glenn Anderson, Steve Shutt, Bryan Trottier, as well as Women’s Hockey champion and Canada Olympic Gold Medalist Hayley Wickenheiser and TSN’s Rod Black.

Dale and Mark Hunter of the London Knights joined with the police team to bolster the ranks of the law enforcement team; but following Wickenheiser’s early go ahead goal in the second period, the NHL Oldtimers showed they still had the skills that made them hockey greats, winning in a final score of 14-4.

“If you had told me when I was a young girl that some day I’d be standing on the ice with a member of Canada’s Gold Medal Women’s Hockey Team and the great cast of former NHLers who were part of this event, I would have never believed it. That Hayley Wickenheiser was part of this year’s event made it extra special for me” said Mathyssen. “Special Olympics is a great cause and when I asked Jack Layton to be part of this day, well I think he was as excited as I was. Jack is definitely a hockey fan.”