麻豆社区

An NHL charity tour planned for the Arctic could include the City of Whitehorse and Dawson City, organizer John Chabot told the Star today.

Chabot is a former NHL player working as an unofficial training consultant with a variety of Ottawa Senators players attempting to stay in game shape while the NHL and the league's player's association try to solve the lockout.

Originally the plan was for one major northern tour, but due to players' family commitments, it was decided that the Northwest Territories would be first priority.

"These guys like to keep their weekends open as much as they can for their families,鈥� Chabot said. "They never get a chance to do that in a non-lockout year.

Right now, we've talked to Yellowknife, Inuvik and Hay River. These guys are so excited about going to N.W.T.鈥�

The Northwest Territories tour would involve three games in four days, from Nov. 18 to 21.

Members of the Ottawa Senators will highlight the N.W.T. trip, including Chris Neil, Zack Smith, Craig Anderson and Chris Phillips.

A second tour could include Whitehorse and Dawson City.

"I think it would be a fantastic experience if we could get out there,鈥� Chabot said.

"What I would probably do if we did it 鈥� it would be do the N.W.T. trip, and then after it's done, gauge their interest and do another trip. It would be some place I would really like the guys to go.

"The catch to going up North is you never go there unless somebody takes you.

And sometimes you never leave, because you like it so much,鈥� Chabot added. "It's something I would definitely like to explore, but again, everything for me is based on what the players want to do. The biggest thing for us would be logistics and cost.鈥�

No discussions have yet been held with Whitehorse officials, but Whitehorse Minor Hockey Association president Carl Burgess did express interest to the Star in lining up the NHL charity game to coincide with Hockey Day in Whitehorse and Mustangs Night scheduled for Dec. 1.

"That would be a perfectly-timed,鈥� Chabot admitted. "That is not as far-fetched as you might think.鈥�

Chabot said due to family commitments, captain Daniel Alfredsson may have a better chance of appearing in Whitehorse than Yellowknife.

Since the tour was announced, Chabot said interest has widened to include the likes of Montreal Canadiens' captain Brian Gionta, his brother Stephen Gionta of the New Jersey Devils, and Tyler Kennedy of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Members of the Winnipeg Jets have also shown interest, Chabot said.

The tour is intended to raise money for Chabot's charity First Assist.

The charity works with First Nations fly-in communities, giving children age 11 to 13 a chance at a better life through sports and education.

"The charity's not even registered yet,鈥� Chabot said. "It's work I've been doing personally for the last eight years through communities in northern Ontario and N.W.T.鈥�

Tickets to the games will reportedly cost between $30 and $50. All funds raised will go to off-set travel costs and support First Assist.