Winning a Stanley Cup and being inducted in the National Hockey League Hall of Fame wasn’t enough for Luc Robitaille. He has fostered a second career helping others.
For the fourth year, the Luc Robitaille Celebrity Shoot Out will be taking place at the Park City Ice Arena. The Shoot Out, to be held Sunday, Jan 23, is a fundraising event for the Echoes of Hope Foundation, which was created by Luc and his wife Stacia.
Echoes of Hope is based around helping the lives of at-risk and emancipated foster youths. The foundation was founded to help give at-risk youths the resources they need to reach their full potential.
The non-profit charity is based in Los Angeles, where the Robitaille family spends most of its time due to Luc’s position with the Los Angeles Kings as president of business operations.
“It’s very dear to us,” said Luc Robitaille. “It’s always been rewarding.”
The Robitailles also own a house near Heber City and have been associated with the Park City Ice Arena for some time; something the arena is more than thankful for.
“The ice arena is super excited to showcase such a high caliber event,” said Jason Glidden, business development manager for the Park City Ice Arena. “We are fortunate.”
The Shoot Out will feature more than just Robitaille. The former NHL star did some recruiting and has gathered an impressive roster of fellow former NHL stars:
Joe Sakic, Rob Blake, Ian Laperriere, Mathieu Schneider, Glen Murray and Marty McSorely, just to name a few.
“These guys are awesome,” Robitaille said. “It just shows how great of a team sport we all played. And obviously it’s an easy pitch when you’re selling Park City.”
To go along with the list of former NHL players, Robitaille has been able to recruit television and movie stars to partake in the game in recent years.
“We look for celebs that know how to play hockey,” he said. “We invited people that would love to just play some hockey.”
Some notable celebrities who will be participating in Sunday’s game will be Andie MacDowell, Michael Rosenbaum and Alan Thicke.
From 11 a.m. to noon tomorrow there will be a youth hockey clinic held by Robitaille and former players. Registration fee includes an autographed hockey puck and a photo. Cost is $75.
The main event starts at 12:30 tomorrow with a red-carpet VIP arrival for the celebrity hockey game outside the arena. According to a press release, there will be a few surprise guests partaking in the events as well. Cost of admission is $40.
All proceeds will be donated to the Echoes of Hope foundation along with the Sundance Institute, which helps the Shoot Out every year.
The clinic before the game was the idea of Stacia Robitaille and Luc says he and his NHL alumni are looking forward to it.
“We’re always trying to bring a good experience for everyone,” Luc said. “Everyone involved is great.”
Glidden said being able to host such an entertaining and meaningful charity event helps both the arena itself and the entire community.
“It’s something really special,” he said. “It proves we must be doing something right.”
Luc said being able to put on a show for the fans and being able to raise money for those in need will be driving him to play well on Sunday.
“If you can make a difference with one person, and see that person making a difference with someone else it’s paying it forward,” he said. “We’re making a difference. We’re giving kids a chance to start their life.”
For information on purchasing tickets go to www.echoesofhope.org or www.lucrobitailleshootout.eventbrite.com.
