The founder of the hockey training camp in Goderich that eventually led to the Hometown Heroes Charity Hockey game says he's thrilled with the way the event has evolved.
Bryan O'Reilly explains the original intent was to provide a summer training camp for his sons Cal and Ryan O'Reilly who currently play with the Buffalo Sabres as well as raise a little money for the YMCA.
He says Gwen Devereaux and Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb then came on board and raised it to another level.
The goal for this year's third Hometown Heroes event is to raise $50,000 for the Goderich-Huron YMCA’s Strong Kids program, the Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health and the Alexandra Marine & General Hospital.
O'Reilly says one of the unique things about the camp is that it brings together NHL players, AHL players, ECHL players, NCAA players and Triple A players and it's a great opportunity for the young players to learn from the older players.
He adds they're also very lucky to have all of the equipment available to them at the YMCA.
Both Ryan and Cal O'Reilly are playing in the Hometown Heroes Charity Hockey Game this Thursday night at the Maitland Rec Centre in Goderich. The puck drops at 7pm.
