WINNIPEG, MB – This summer, we’re chirping with NHL royalty.
The Rady JCC is thrilled to announce Chicago Blackhawk legends and former teammates Jeremy Roenick, Chris Chelios, and Ed Belfour as its three keynote speakers for the 2023 Rady JCC Ken Kronson Sports Dinner. The 49th annual gala is set to face off at the RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg on Monday, June 19, 2023.
“We are reuniting three of the all-time Blackhawk greats and doing something that’s never been done before at our dinner,” said Al Greenberg, Rady JCC Sports Dinner Chair. “These guys are all buddies, they are colorful, and will have plenty of fun stories to share during their years playing together and with other NHL clubs.”
Roenick was drafted eighth overall in the 1988 NHL Entry by the Chicago Blackhawks and built a successful 20-year NHL career playing for several teams including the Phoenix Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, and the San Jose Sharks. He is a nine-time NHL All-Star and scored over 500 goals during his playing career.
Drafted in 1981 by the Montreal Canadiens, Chelios made an immediate impact in the NHL and made the All-Rookie team, finishing only second to Mario Lemieux for the Calder Trophy. His first of three Stanley Cups came in Montreal in 1986, where he spent seven years before being traded to his hometown Chicago Blackhawks in 1990. Chelios finished his glorious NHL career with 1,917 games played, including playoffs, and was selected to the Top 100 of All Time.
Local Carmen, Manitoba hero Belfour has long been a fan favourite with his famous ‘Eddy the Eagle’ mask. Nine seasons after being drafted by Chicago in 1989, Belfour made a brief stop in San Jose before signing with the Dallas Stars during the off season. There, he backstopped the Stars to two consecutive Stanley Cup Finals, winning it all in 1999. His hardware is extensive and includes the Calder Trophy and multiple Jennings and Vezina Trophies.
Sports Dinner Past-Chair Blair Worb will be honoured at the dinner for his decades of commitment and dedication to the flagship gala.
“Blair is a main reason why our dinner is what it is today,” said Greenberg. “He took Ken Kronson’s vision of what this dinner could be and blew it through the roof. I can’t think of a better person to honour at our event.”
Michael Silver and Jason Bonneteau of WPG The Wealth Planning Group as well as Paul Winestock and Danny Childerhouse of Winestock Childerhouse Wealth of RBC Dominion Securities & RBC Private Banking will be Co-Title Sponsors for the not-to-be-missed event of the year.
“Michael and Jason are committed and believe very strongly in our cause,” said Rob Berkowits, Rady JCC Executive Director. “And Paul and Danny continue to be incredible corporate leaders who care deeply in our mission.”
Every single dollar raised at the Sports Dinner supports the Rady JCC’s various initiatives, a not-for-profit community agency providing recreational, cultural, and fitness programs for all age groups to meet the diverse needs of the community-at-large.
“We are non-religious and non-denominational and are open to all,” said Berkowits. “Through our programs and camps, we reach 3,200 children a year, helping them to stay active and develop leadership skills. We provide programming for children with disabilities, as well as programming that promote the wellbeing of people living with chronic illnesses or recovering from cancer.”
The evening includes a four-course gala dinner, silent, live, and rainbow auctions. Individual tickets, corporate tables, and sponsorships will be available in early February.
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For more information, please contact:
Zachary Minuk
Director of Development, Partnerships and Communications
Rady JCC
zminuk@radyjcc.com
204.480.6562