NHL oldtimers to help raise funds for Alzheimer’s society

BY MARC LALONDE

marc.lalonde@transcontinental.ca

Dollard des Ormeaux resident Rick Muscant is a hockey fan.

He’s also a 55-year-old who’s watched the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease claim first his father in 2002 and is now laying waste to his mother, currently in the late stages of the disease. Couple that with enthusiasm and a bit of recruiting magic, and you’ve got the recipe for the first-ever Remember the Passion charity hockey game featuring a number of former NHL players Muscant grew up idolizing. The proceeds from the game and subsequent gala will go to the Alzheimer Society of Montreal.

“These were guys I watched when I was growing up, and that part is a lot of fun. I have some pretty good memories of these guys. I’m a pretty passionate hockey fan,‿ he said.

The game is slated for Feb. 10 at 2 p.m., with a gala dinner and reception to follow at Olympia Reception Hall at 6 p.m. The gala will be hosted by former broadcaster Dick Irvin.

Muscant said advances in Alzheimer’s research have put scientists close to a cure for the disease, which robs people of their memories and deteriorates the brain over time.

“Evidently, they’re pretty close to a cure, so hopefully this will be the money that puts them over the top. I’m actually confident they’ll find a cure soon,‿ he said.

It’s also is a disease that tends to pass down through generations and Muscant’s desire to eradicate the disease comes partly from a genetic standpoint.

“I also don’t want to get it myself, and with both of my parents having it, it’s likely I’ll get it also,‿ he said.

Many past NHLers have signed on to the game, with more expected to confirm in coming weeks, including former Habs such as Chris Nilan, Sergio Momesso, Stéphane Richer, Mark Napier, Richard Sevigny, Claude Lemieux, Brian Savage, Yvon Lambert, Rejean Houle, PJ Stock, Gary Leeman and Serge Boisvert.

Tickets to the game — to be held at the Dollard des Ormeaux Civic Centre, 12001 de Salaberry — are $15 (seating) or $8 (standing) and tickets to the gala after the game are $150 each. For more information, or to get a ticket, call the Alzheimer Society of Montreal at 514-369-0800.