The memory of a Windsor-born NHL player continues to live on through the latest edition of a charity motorcycle ride.
The official kickoff for the ninth annual Bob Probert Ride took place Wednesday at the Thunder Road Harley-Davidson store in Windsor, with the announcement that the event has cracked the $1 million mark in overall contributions over its history. The ride, taking place June 23, raises funds for the maintenance and expansion of cardiac services in Windsor-Essex.
The ride is named for former Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks player Bob Probert, a Windsor native who died of a heart attack on July 5, 2010. Known for his fighting ability as well as his scoring, Probert's ashes were spread by his family in the penalty box at Joe Louis Arena before its final game two years ago.
The two celebrity road captains for this year's ride are Zack Kassian, a Windsor native who won a Memorial Cup with the Spitfires in 2010 and now plays for the Edmonton Oilers, and Darren Banks, a winger who played briefly for the Boston Bruins in the early 1990s.
Kassian, who has ridden in the Bob Probert ride in the past, called being a ride captain a real treat.
"You feel honoured," said Kassian. "Obviously, you come here with the intent just to be a part of the big event and never expect to be the ride captain. Bob's played with a lot of guys and has made a lot of friends, and for me to follow that ride captain list, I'm pretty excited."
Banks remembered being in the NHL at the same time Probert played.
"He was only a year older than me, and we were really good friends for a long time. He was just a great ambassador for the game. He did something, and I did it myself, that other players don't want to do, and he was great at it," said Banks, who like Probert would mix it up with opposing players to help his teammates.
The ride will begin at Thunder Road on the morning of June 23, with stops again this year at the Fort Fun Centre, Colchester Bar and Grill, and Wolfhead Distillery before ending at the Ciociaro Club in Tecumseh. All proceeds go toward cardiac wellness services, specifically Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare's future satellite cardiac centre in Tecumseh.
Registration for the ride is open through the morning of the event. Those wanting to participate can register in person at Thunder Road Harley-Davidson or online.
Dani Probert, left foreground, widow of NHL player Bob Probert, gathers with family and supporters a the launch for the 9th Annual Bob Probert Ride at Thunder Road Harley-Davidson in Windsor, April 24, 2019. The annual ride surpassed a $1-million mark for overall contributions. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.
