Having won two Olympic hockey gold medals, earned tournament MVP honours while setting a new Olympic singletournament, goal-scoring record at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, Meghan Agosta has already established she's a money player.
The Ruthven native is hoping that's especially true this weekend when she brings her Montreal Stars club to Windsor to play the Toronto Furies in a pair of games to raise money for the fight against breast cancer.
The'll meet at Windsor Arena Saturday at 6: 30 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. in a pair of games that count in the Canadian Women's Hockey League standings.
The CWHL is the premier women's professional hockey league in the world.
"I'm definitely very excited that I can come home and play," said Agosta, who got married this summer and has called Montreal home since April.
"A lot of people haven't seen me play live in a long time. My parents don't get to see me play live much now either.
"I'm hoping we get a great crowd and our team can put on a great show."
Agosta hasn't played a competitive game at home since she was a member of the Southwest Wildcats of the Provincial Women's Hockey League during the 2004-05 season.
To return home to help raise money for breast cancer research makes it all the more special for the 24-year-old forward.
It's a disease that has affected her family's circle of friends.
"Three family friends (Debbie Chambers, Liz Delciancio, Kerry Dick) are trying to beat cancer," Agosta said. "That's why I think it's such a great event to raise money to find a cure."
Agosta said the CWHL asked each club to pick a cause to raise money towards.
The Stars chose breast cancer and raised more than $9,000 over the weekend in a pair of games against Boston.
In addition to ticket sales, the weekend will see a variety of support events such as auctions of equipment and memorabilia. Fans, who bring helmets and skates, will be able to skate with the players and get autographs after each game.
Agosta has also partnered with Warrior Hockey Equipment for them to produce some special gear (pants, gloves, stick) for the occasion that will be auctioned off.
The proceeds from the Stick It To Cancer weekend will go to the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre for the purchase of a Endobronchial Ultrasound for diagnostics, the Seeds4Hope Cancer Research Program and The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County.
While the cause is motivation enough, Agosta said the fact that these games have significant meaning in the standings should make for some high-paced action.
Montreal (3-0-1) is tied for first-place with Alberta while Toronto is 1-1-2.
The games are a rematch of last season's Clarkson Cup final, which Montreal won.
Both clubs will come with several Olympians from Canada and the U.S. in their lineups.
In addition to Agosta, the Star also feature Catherine Ward, Caroline Ouellette, Sara Vaillancourt and American star Julie Chu, who all played in the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Olympians in Toronto's lineup are goalie Sami Jo Small, forward Jennifer Botterill and defenceman Tessa Bonhomme, who just won CBC's Battle of the Blades.
The Ruthven native is hoping that's especially true this weekend when she brings her Montreal Stars club to Windsor to play the Toronto Furies in a pair of games to raise money for the fight against breast cancer.
The'll meet at Windsor Arena Saturday at 6: 30 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. in a pair of games that count in the Canadian Women's Hockey League standings.
The CWHL is the premier women's professional hockey league in the world.
"I'm definitely very excited that I can come home and play," said Agosta, who got married this summer and has called Montreal home since April.
"A lot of people haven't seen me play live in a long time. My parents don't get to see me play live much now either.
"I'm hoping we get a great crowd and our team can put on a great show."
Agosta hasn't played a competitive game at home since she was a member of the Southwest Wildcats of the Provincial Women's Hockey League during the 2004-05 season.
To return home to help raise money for breast cancer research makes it all the more special for the 24-year-old forward.
It's a disease that has affected her family's circle of friends.
"Three family friends (Debbie Chambers, Liz Delciancio, Kerry Dick) are trying to beat cancer," Agosta said. "That's why I think it's such a great event to raise money to find a cure."
Agosta said the CWHL asked each club to pick a cause to raise money towards.
The Stars chose breast cancer and raised more than $9,000 over the weekend in a pair of games against Boston.
In addition to ticket sales, the weekend will see a variety of support events such as auctions of equipment and memorabilia. Fans, who bring helmets and skates, will be able to skate with the players and get autographs after each game.
Agosta has also partnered with Warrior Hockey Equipment for them to produce some special gear (pants, gloves, stick) for the occasion that will be auctioned off.
The proceeds from the Stick It To Cancer weekend will go to the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre for the purchase of a Endobronchial Ultrasound for diagnostics, the Seeds4Hope Cancer Research Program and The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County.
While the cause is motivation enough, Agosta said the fact that these games have significant meaning in the standings should make for some high-paced action.
Montreal (3-0-1) is tied for first-place with Alberta while Toronto is 1-1-2.
The games are a rematch of last season's Clarkson Cup final, which Montreal won.
Both clubs will come with several Olympians from Canada and the U.S. in their lineups.
In addition to Agosta, the Star also feature Catherine Ward, Caroline Ouellette, Sara Vaillancourt and American star Julie Chu, who all played in the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Olympians in Toronto's lineup are goalie Sami Jo Small, forward Jennifer Botterill and defenceman Tessa Bonhomme, who just won CBC's Battle of the Blades.
"It's going to be fun, but the difference is these games count," said Agosta, who sits third in CWHL scoring with four goals and seven points four games into her rookie season.
"There are a lot more Olympians than me in this game. There's a lot of talented players that will be here."
Agosta said the CWHL is trying to showcase the league and women's game by moving these events around.
In Windsor's case, Agosta's obvious connection to the area was one just of the motivations for playing a game locally.
"It's a chance for Windsor to showcase itself," Agosta said.
"The thinking is this could lead to bigger and better things like getting a Team Canada game against the U.S."
Tickets for the game are $7.50 for adults and $5 for seniors (65-plus) and children. Children under three are free.
Tickets can be purchased online at ticketweb.ca, the Windsor and Essex County Cancer Centre Foundation (2220 Kildare Rd.), Jam Space (2680 Ouellete Ave.), Dr. Disc (471 Ouellette Ave.) as well at the arena box office.
An after game party will be held Saturday at the Blind Dog (671 Ouellete Ave.) to raise funds.
Tickets are $22 in advance and $25 at the door.
Several local bands will entertain and the players from both clubs will also attend.
dwaddell@windsorstar.com or 519-255-5884
"There are a lot more Olympians than me in this game. There's a lot of talented players that will be here."
Agosta said the CWHL is trying to showcase the league and women's game by moving these events around.
In Windsor's case, Agosta's obvious connection to the area was one just of the motivations for playing a game locally.
"It's a chance for Windsor to showcase itself," Agosta said.
"The thinking is this could lead to bigger and better things like getting a Team Canada game against the U.S."
Tickets for the game are $7.50 for adults and $5 for seniors (65-plus) and children. Children under three are free.
Tickets can be purchased online at ticketweb.ca, the Windsor and Essex County Cancer Centre Foundation (2220 Kildare Rd.), Jam Space (2680 Ouellete Ave.), Dr. Disc (471 Ouellette Ave.) as well at the arena box office.
An after game party will be held Saturday at the Blind Dog (671 Ouellete Ave.) to raise funds.
Tickets are $22 in advance and $25 at the door.
Several local bands will entertain and the players from both clubs will also attend.
dwaddell@windsorstar.com or 519-255-5884
No comments:
Post a Comment