Facing the risk that the Pro-Am Gagné-Bergeron could walk away on a breakaway in Montreal, Quebec is finally retaining its tournament for years to come thanks to a crucial save from a former Remparts goalkeeper.
After the cry of Alain Rioux a month ago, it was Patrick Couture who raised his hand to save the event that has drawn the public to the Videotron Center and which, since 2009, has raised more than 4 million donations to benefit the sick and disadvantaged children in Quebec.
Together with his partners Laurent Arnaud from Synerglace Canada and Étienne Nadeau from Sun Life, Couture, who leads Glace Conseil Expertise, takes matters into his own hands.
Beginning next year, the event will be renamed the Sun Life Pro-Am, with the names of two honorary captains who will be NHL players, rotating every year.
“We got the call we weren’t expecting. “Patrick knows all the players and he was the missing piece for the Pro-Am to go ahead,” sighed Rioux, who had been caring for the baby since birth.
A natural one
As a reminder, Patrick Couture protected the Harfangs de Beauport net in 1995/96 before moving to Val-d’Or, replacing a certain Roberto Luongo. He returned to Quebec in 1997, where he became friends with then-young star Simon Gagné during the Remparts’ first season on PEPS.
For someone still involved in hockey, particularly at Blizzard du Séminaire Saint-François, snagging the puck on the Pro-Am file was an obvious choice.
“We followed the call for the children and held the event in Quebec. The cause is close to our hearts and since we are active in ice hockey, it was natural for us to take over the event,” he explained.
Patrick Couture and Laurent Arnaud surround Alain Rioux. Stevens LeBlanc/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
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While the mystery of Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron’s possible retirement remains unsolved, it’s already certain that he will be competing in his final Pro-Am on August 10th at the Videotron Center. It’s the same in Simon Gagné’s case, and the two accomplices have given a lot, attracting many NHL players to Quebec every summer for a long time.
The prospect of losing these two stellar recruiters, particularly Bergeron with his active contacts in the Bettman Circle, does not deter the new leader.
“It’s a wheel that’s turning and we have good players in Quebec. There is a good successor. We have players who in turn also attract people. “Yes, it’s a big loss and Patrice Bergeron is not easy to replace, but the event is so well known even at the National League level that I believe it’s something that will last,” said Patrick Couture .
Crosby allows himself to be desired
This year’s edition takes place as planned before the handover and already 24 players have officially confirmed their attendance. The organization is still trying to convince two Nova Scotia sensations, Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon, to come to Quebec in August.
“Max Talbot is involved in the case and is close to Sidney. He (Crosby) knows we sponsor a private jet to pick them up. “It will cost zero,” said Alain Rioux, testifying to the full extent of the Pro-Am.