Sutter brothers and other hockey legends are heading to Roddickton

A small town on Newfoundland's Northern Peninsula is generating some big buzz for hockey this winter.

The NHL Legends of Hockey Tour is making a stop at the Roddickton-Bide Arm Arena on Feb. 1, when local players get the chance to face hockey stars like Rich and Ron Sutter, Chris Nilan and Bernie Nicholls. 

Rich Sutter, who played for seven NHL teams during his 13-season career, is feeling the excitement. 

"It's a good opportunity for guys to get together," Sutter told CBC's Newfoundland Morning. "But most importantly, to give back to the communities." 

Sutter, 61, who played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers during his career, said he knows how important it is to support minor hockey in smaller communities, being from one himself. He was born in Viking, Alta., and is one of six brothers to play professionally.

"To me, that's all about giving back and helping make people feel good at the end of the day," said Sutter.

Ron Sutter, his twin brother, also played with multiple teams, including the Flyers, before retiring in 2001. 

Planning for the pros

Coun. Darrell Randell said Roddickton-Bide Arm was approached less than a month ago to host the hockey legends game, and local businesses jumped in to sponsor the event right away. 

Randell said everywhere he goes, people ask him how to purchase tickets or how to get involved. 

The hype is real among players preparing to face the legends. They've named the team "the Lumberjacks."

"We've got a full team," Randell said. "They were quite enthusiastic about playing these guys."

The councillor said he's reminded the team that they're playing a no-contact game, but Sutter said there might be the odd rub along the boards to "keep it fun."

Sutter said it's a five-to-six-day trip for the guests of honour in the NHL Legends of Hockey Tour, and he can't wait. 

"This is a lot about us having fun with everybody, but also us enjoying the time with the guys that we played games with over the years," said Sutter.

"We're all here to do some things that are important for communities," he added.

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