For the 25th consecutive year, the NHLPA Golf Classic brought NHL players together in the name of charity.
To mark the special occasion, every current player in attendance at Glen Abbey Golf Club Wednesday was given $2,000 for the cause of their choice as they participated in individual and team competitions.
Over 50 current and former NHL players took part in the day's action, and some of them even brought guests to take part.
Kevin Bieksa brought a special guest out to the #NHLPAGolfClassic - his son Cole! Best golf tip from dad? "Keep your head down." pic.twitter.com/WjvlUvLDFC
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) July 12, 2017
Also on hand was Hockey Hall of Fame forward Ted Lindsay, who is known for his skill, tenacity, leadership, and his role in establishing the original Players' Association.
Great time playing in the @NHLPA golf tournament at Glen Abbey. With the Legend himself #TedLindsay
A post shared by Adam Henrique (@adamhenrique) on Jul 12, 2017 at 12:20pm PDT
Lindsay's presence was appreciated by all players in attendance, as many made sure to stop for a photo and swap stories with the legendary "Terrible Ted" Some players even had a generational connection to Lindsay.
What a pleasure it was to be able to chat with the great Ted Lindsay! What a class act and apparently a great scout! 👍 #NHLPAGolfClassic https://t.co/aQ1fQXB0WA
— Nick Foligno (@NickFoligno) July 14, 2017
One highlight of the night was a moving speech made by former Executive Director Bob Goodenow, recounting his first and fondest memory of Lindsay in the early 1960s. Goodenow recalled a tender childhood moment at a friend's birthday party, where the surprise of the night was Lindsay himself, signing autographs to the entire party's delight - and Goodenow's first ever NHL player autograph.
At the end of the day, Greg McKegg took home the bragging rights for lowest player score of the tournament by shooting three under par with a 69. Following the tournament, Logan Couture landed a mere two inches away from the hole in the NHLPA Member Charity Challenge for $25,000 for his charity of choice, See The Line.
Josh Jooris and Darnell Nurse also won $15,000 and $10,000 respectively for autism and CityKidz Hamilton.
Everyone went home a winner by helping to bring the grand total donation from the NHLPA Golf Classic to $3.6 million dollars over its 25 years of existence - including $125,000 from the 2017 Golf Classic.
Here's a look at some of the causes the players chose to donate to:
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Louis Domingue
The Jackson-Jay Foundation
Lawson Crouse
The Tara "Boom" Houston Children's Foundation
Josh Jooris
Autism
Brian Gionta
Ronald McDonald House of Rochester
Kevin Bieksa
The FORT
Jeff Skinner
The Bryan and Amanda Bickell Foundation
Boone Jenner
The Janis Foligno Foundation
Dougie Hamilton
The Brock-Niagara Penguins
Devin Shore
Pancreatic Cancer Canada - Ontario division
Andreas Athanasiou
Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute
Darnell Nurse
CityKidz Hamilton
Jonathan Huberdeau
La Fondation des Cougars
Jonathan Marchessault
Fondation le Petit Blanchon
Derek MacKenzie
Hats for Heroes
Cal Clutterbuck
United Heroes League
Stephen Gionta
Pete Frates Home Health Initiative
Logan Couture
See the Line
Adam Henrique
Stedman Community Hospice
Joseph Blandisi
The Tory Day Fund
Marcus Foligno
The Janis Foligno Foundation
Tanner Pearson
Ronald McDonald House, KW Humane Society
Tyler Toffoli
Wags and Walks, Vanderpump Dog Foundation
Cameron Gaunce
Minor Hockey Foundation Ontario
Barclay Goodrow
See the Line
Micheal Haley
Noelle's Gift
Josh Leivo
The Bryan and Amanda Bickell Foundation
Greg McKegg
St. Thomas Spectacular/Special Olympics
Cory Conacher
Diabetes Canada
For more highlights from the day's action, check out #NHLPAGolfClassic on Instagram and Twitter.
