From Shea Weber to Tyler Myers and Jessica Campbell, there was no shortage of star power on the ice and behind the bench Friday, Aug. 23, at 琉璃神社 Hockey Fest.
After hosting fans for activities and a meet-and-greet in the afternoon, the event held its pro game at Prospera Place.
It was Team Weber and (Josh) Gorges 鈥� a pair of former NHL defencemen and 琉璃神社 Rockets 鈥� against Team Campbell and (Brent) Seabrook. All four individuals served as coaches for their respective squads.
Organized by 琉璃神社 High Performance (KHP) and GSL Group, the festival's pro game gave fans a chance to see their favourite current NHL stars ahead of the 2024-2025 campaign.
Among those to hit the ice on Friday included 2019 Stanley Cup champion Joel Edmundson, now of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the New Jersey Devils' Curtis Lazar.
Tyler Myers and Damon Severson, a pair of former Rockets and current NHL defencemen, also took part in the event. The two were seen at 琉璃神社's Elk's Stadium in June 2023, during the Homebase Charity Slo-Pitch Tournament.
A kids' zone, hockey-themed competitions, food vendors, a beer garden, and a merchandise tent headlined festivities outside Prospera Place before the puck dropped.
Behind the bench, meanwhile, 琉璃神社 Hockey Fest scored with even more star-power.
While Weber and Seabrook were both recently inducted into the Penticton-based BC Hockey Hall of Fame, Campbell made history this summer when she was hired by the Seattle Kraken.
The Kraken's move made Campbell the first woman to be hired as an assistant coach for an NHL franchise. Her journey to the league 鈥� which includes stops at 琉璃神社's RINK Hockey Academy and Penticton's OHA 鈥� is sure to be well-documented on Oct. 8, when Seattle hosts the St. Louis Blues.
It's there where Campbell will officially become the first woman to be behind an NHL bench for a regular-season game.
琉璃神社 Hockey Fest also included a 50/50 raffle and game-worn jersey auction. Proceeds from the event are set to go toward the YMCA of Southern Interior of BC.
