Golfers at the Red Deer Golf and Country Club during the annual Battle of Alberta. (Supplied)

By Jordan Davidson

uniting for a common cause

Child Advocacy Centre benefits from Battle of Alberta

Aug 10, 2021 | 12:07 PM

The NHL regular season doesn’t get going for a couple months, but the Battle of Alberta was nonetheless on full display earlier this month in Red Deer.

Flames and Oilers representatives came out Aug. 3-4 for a golf tournament benefitting the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre (CACAC).

The first night of the Battle of Alberta included a celebrity auction at the Cambridge Hotel and Conference Centre, with record-breaking bids for former Edmonton Oiler Kelly Buchberger and former Calgary Flame and Olympic gold medal winner Theo Fleury. The two played with the groups that bid for them the next day at the golf course.

Other big auction items included two customized trucks, one done in the style of the Calgary Flames and the other in Edmonton Oilers colours. Each was valued at $90,000.

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Final fundraising numbers are still being tallied, however the CACAC says it’s thrilled to announce that between the golf tournament, live auction and a new virtual silent auction, over a million dollars in gross was raised over the two nights.

“To say we’re blown away by the generosity and support at the child advocacy centre is an understatement. As an organization, we could not have had three better events over the two days to celebrate the work we do for children,” says Mark Jones, executive director.

“At the end of the day, we’re trying to make a difference for children and families in central Alberta. What we witnessed at this event is what happens when a whole group of difference-makers come together for the good of a community. A heartfelt thanks to the many people who helped make the Battle of Alberta tournament a success.”

Along with Buchberger and Fleury, 28 other former Oiler and Flames players were on hand, including Lanny MacDonald, Louie Debrusk, Kris Russell, Glenn Anderson, and Mike Vernon.

The event also included discussions with former Flames and current Pittsburgh Penguins president of operations Brian Burke, which was co-hosted by Hockey Night in Canada commentator Ron MacLean.

Rollie Cyr, Flames executive vice-president, touched on what it means for Flames alumni to be involved.

“(We) are always so grateful for the support we receive from our fans in central Alberta. We consider Red Deer our home that we happily share with our rivals in Edmonton during this important fundraising event in support of the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre,” he said.

“Congratulations to Terry Loewen and his hard-working committee on another extremely successful Battle of Alberta Golf Tournament. And a special thank you to Flames alumnus Sheldon Kennedy for his leadership in changing the way Alberta responds to child abuse. This new facility in Red Deer will ensure every child’s needs are met, and they are supported in the most child-friendly way.”

The new home of the CACAC is to be located on the grounds of Red Deer Polytechnic.

(L-R) Brian Burke, Mike Krushelnyski, and Ron MacLean during the exclusive hot-stove interview. (Supplied)

For more information about the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre, visit centralalbertacac.ca.