Vancouver Hockey School defeated Tommyfit Ltd. 6-1 in a charity game that spotlighted National Hockey Leaguers as well as elite pros .

The score took a back seat to the real winners of the night: the British Columbia Childhood Cancer Parents’ Association and the fans who filled the bleachers and encircled the rink, standing shoulder-to-shoulder to watch athletes at the top of their sport showcase their skills.

Fans paid a minimum $4 admission to watch the game, while also filling two boxes full of nonpersishable food items. Organizers estimated that more than 200 pounds of food items was donated to the Langley Food Bank.

Hockey specific trainer Mike Thompson along with skating coach Derek Popke organized teams for the matchup, and some recognize-able NHL names coloured the lineup sheet.

Thompson’s team, Tommyfit Ltd., suited up the likes of Greg Zanon of the Minnesota Wild, Shaone Morrisonn of the Washington Capitals, Jeff Tambellini of the New York Islanders, Ryan Hollweg of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Brandon Segal of the Los Angeles Kings.

Popke’s Vancouver Hockey School squad included Brent Seabrook, Andrew Ladd, and Troy Brouwer of the Chicago Blackhawks, Keith Seabrook of the Calgary Flames and New Jersey Devils Ben Walter.

“We had $40 million in contracts on the ice,” Thompson said. “We talked to both teams before the game. We told them to put on a good show, but that safety was paramount. If you didn’t have a shooting lane, don’t take it.”

A player’s name wasn’t listed on the lineup sheet. Former Vancouver Giants captain and current Boston Bruins first line winger Milan Lucic skated for Popke’s Vancouver Hockey School team.

“He’s probably the most popular NHLer in Vancouver right now,” Thompson said. “He’s a great guy; he’s a beauty.”

Lucic currently skates with Popke out of Richmond Ice Center during the summer months.

The players signed autographs before and after the game during a “festive evening,” Thompson noted.

Langley Times

Hockey pros lace up for charity game

NHL players, from left, Milan Lucic Andrew Ladd, Troy Brouwer and Brent Seabrook and the AHL’s Jason Garrison signed autographs for fans following a charity hockey game at the Walnut Grove Sportsplex on Wednesday night. Nearly $4,000 was raised for the B.C. Childhood Cancer Parents Association.

Gary Ahuja/Langley Times

Imagine watching Boston Bruin Milan Lucic streaking toward you down the ice, ready to unleash a wicked wrist shot.

Or seeing him stand in front of the net, doing what he does best as one of the NHL’s young up-and-coming power forwards.

That is what faced Langley’s Daniel Spence, as he played goal for Team TommyFit on Wednesday night at the Walnut Grove Sportsplex.

Lucic was skating for Team Vancouver Hockey School, which prevailed 6-1 in a charity hockey game, with the proceeds going to the B.C. Childhood Cancer Parents Association.

Nearly $4,000 was raised at the first annual event.

Lucic was one of several Lower Mainland NHL players taking part in the game.

Some of the others included Brent Seabrook, Andrew Ladd and Troy Brouwer, of the Chicago Blackhawks, Shaone Morrisonn of the Washington Capitals and the Minnesota Wild’s Greg Zanon.

The rest of the rosters were made up of professional players from the AHL, some of whom are playing in Europe, as well as some junior hockey players from the area.

Some of the local products in the game included Ryan Hollweg, John Lammers and Ben Walter.

Matt Pope and Tyler Burton, both recovering from injury, served as assistant coaches for Team TommyFit.

The game was the product of an impromptu decision made only a week before to stage the charity fundraiser.

“It was drummed up in a golf game with Derek Popke,” said Mike Thompson, who runs TommyFit Ltd.,which offers hockey-specific strength and conditioning for players at all levels.

Popke runs the Vancouver Hockey School.

Thompson and Popke had planned on having their players scrimmage at some point this summer and Thompson decided he wanted to make it a charity event.

“Honestly, this was put together in a week, and almost (caused) a divorce at home,” he said.

“It was a lot of work and kind of stressful, but fun.

“It took on a life of its own.”

Thompson’s wife, Kim, chose the charity.

“I lost my dad about two years ago to cancer,” Thompson said, choking up.

“And Kim lost her best friend, Anne Hansen, in February.”

“It is a great charity; you don’t realize the battle that these families face,” he said.

The players jumped on board.

“The guys have been so good and supportive,” Thompson said.

The players signed autographs before the game, during intermissions, and after the game. Some lucky fans even got hockey sticks.

“And we really appreciate the support the community has given us,” Thompson said.

A couple hundred fans packed the Sportsplex to watch the game and admission was by donation.

Thompson plans to do this again next summer, but will likely move to a bigger venue.

Spence, who is finished his junior career and expects to sign his first pro contract shortly, said it was great to give back and to also see friends.

“It was really cool to be out there,” he said.

“I grew up playing with them (in spring leagues).

“Those guys are in the NHL now, so it is great to see them again.”

Media 1

Vancouver Hockey School is pleased to announce skating coach Derek Popke will be attending the Toronto Maple Leafs 2009 Prospect Development Camp. Prospects camp will take place at the Air Canada Center in Toronto ON.

Dallas Eakins, directior of player development for the Leafs will oversee all apects of the camp. Paul Dennis, Maple Leafs development coach and Anthony Belza, strength and conditioning coordinator, will oversee the theory and practical sessions. Additional staff will include goaltending coach Corey Hirsch, and camp development consultants Teal Frowler and Derek Popke.

On-ice sessions will focus on skating and skills development. Players will also take part in seminars on character development, nutrition, lifestyle, media awareness and the business of sport. As a team training component, the camp participants will participate in police field training at the Ontario Police Department

The roster includes current Leafs prospects, free agents, and draft picks from the 2009 NHL Entry Draft this past June.