2023 CAN Pro-Am: Over $1.07 million raised with NHL Alumni!
November 28, 2023
Eighteen teams, 21 NHL Alumni and over 290 fundraising individuals. This past month, we dropped the puck on the 5th annual CAN Pro-Am Hockey Tournament, presented by Dallas Watt Demo Ltd.
And for a fifth straight year, we have set a new event record!
Tournament participants spent months fundraising for the right to play alongside former fan favourites like Michael Del Zotto, Matthew Barnaby, Kirk McLean and Frank Corrado.
Efforts ranged from grassroots initiatives, like hosting pub nights, donating auction items and collecting pledges from friends — to corporate-level contributions, like securing sponsorships and selling Luncheon tables.
The end result? Over $1.07 million raised for the cause!
Our Top 25 fundraisers at the All-Star Game, sponsored by Nightingale Electrical Ltd.
See list of all participating NHL Alumni >
Leading the way for the third straight year were The Constructors. Led by Cam McClelland, this team full of dedicated CAN supporters raised a remarkable $172,000+. In the individual standings, longtime supporter Rob Anselmo earned the Golden Helmet, having raised an astonishing $42,000+.
But you can’t say “CAN Pro-Am” without saying “Bob Shanks“. The legendary fundraiser was edged out by the thinnest of margins in the standings. With his total of $37,000+, Bob brought his all-time total to over $350,000 raised for CAN since 2012!
The Constructors: Top Fundraising Team in 2021, 2022 and 2023
Rob Anselmo (right) with NHL Alumni Kyle Turris. Player jerseys sponsored by OPA! of Greece.
Bob Shanks with 3-time Olympic gold medalist Meghan Agosta
And why do fundraisers like Cam, Rob and Bob put in months of hard work? As Bob would say, “It’s all for the kids.”
Thanks to events like the CAN Pro-Am, our impact now extends far beyond our traditional children’s sports programs.
The weekend kicked off with the Luncheon, sponsored by TD Bank Group, where supporters heard first-hand about CAN’s impact on Autistic youth and adults in our community.
Held at the Parq Vancouver on Friday, November 3, guests came for a raucous Q&A with Brad May, Darcy Hordichuk and Barnaby. But it was a CAN participant and staff member who stole the show.
Standing behind the podium with his grandma, Lori, Brayden Bradbury shared with 300+ guests about his experience graduating from the CAN Skills Training Employment Program.
Joey Kenward (Sportsnet 650) moderated our “Gloves Off” panel, featuring a trio of former NHL enforcers.
Not only did Brayden and his grandma, Lori, speak at the Luncheon, they raised over $2,400 to participate in the tournament that weekend!
“I thought I was bound to be nothing.” Brayden shared. “But I’ve gone from being a high school dropout who never left his room to someone whose schedule is packed with shifts at multiple jobs, including working at CAN!”
Brayden and Lori received not one, but two standing ovations.
Later that night, our 18 fundraising teams gathered at Good Co. Granville for their long-awaited Draft Night. Sponsored by Sportsnet 650, the evening was hosted by Satiar Shah and Dan Riccio.
Teams selected NHL Alumni onto their rosters in the order that they finished in the fundraising. It was a trio of CAN Pro-Am rookies that were taken off the board first. Del Zotto, Barnaby and Hordichuk were drafted first, second and third overall.
Milan Mann, President of BM Group of Companies, presented the CAN Pro-Am Cup to Cam McClelland, captain of The Constructors
After announcing his retirement just two months ago, former Canucks defenceman Michael Del Zotto joined us in support of the cause!
“To be in a room full of selfless people who donate and give back is refreshing,” said Del Zotto. “Everybody is here for the same cause. I get goosebumps just thinking about it. I’ve done a lot of charity events, but this one is probably the most special.”
On Saturday and Sunday, we finally dropped the puck on 2023 at the North Surrey Sport and Ice Complex.
With an NHL Alumni on each roster, teams played a total of 28 games over the 2-day tournament.
To cap off the on-ice action, our top 25 fundraisers suited up for the All-Star Game, sponsored by Nightingale Electrical Ltd. on Sunday afternoon. CAN participant and PA announcer extraordinaire Ryan Chilton was back at the mic, while CAN and Sarah McLachlan School of Music student Lexi sang the national anthem.
NHL Alumni Kyle Turris, David Jones, Martin Gelinas and Matthew Barnaby
Kirk McLean has been a passionate supporter of the cause — even before our inaugural CAN Pro-Am five years ago!
This year, we welcomed former Canucks fan fave Frankie Corrado for the first time!
Former Flames captain Todd Simpson is always a tournament favourite!
Lexi and her proud dad after singing ‘O Canada’
See full game-by-game albums of the tournament >
Our immense thanks to all the players, coaches, donors, sponsors and supporters who make this tournament possible each and every year. Your efforts will make a lasting impact on the lives of so many children, youth and adults on the autism spectrum.
We already can’t wait for 2024!
Learn more about the tournament: canproam.ca
Thank you to all our CAN Pro-Am sponsors
Further reading
Autism accessibility continues at NHL, AHL & junior arenas across BC
TD Bank Group donates $50,000 to Canucks Autism Network in support of inclusive Family Experiences