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By Jeff Henson
3D GALA

McDonald excited to return to Grande Prairie for 3-D Childrens Society Charity Gala

Dec 1, 2019 | 8:17 AM

Stories about the hey days of the Battle of Alberta will be flowing on Monday night when former members of both the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames are in attendance at the 3D Children’s Society Charity Gala.

Former Flames captain Lanny McDonald says he is looking forward to renewing acquaintances with former teammate Jamie Macoun, and former Edmonton Oilers rivals Paul Coffey and Kevin McClelland.

“In the old days, we would walk by each other down in the tunnels underneath the arena, heading to your own dressing room – and you would not even talk to the opposition or even make eye contact with them. Now, we do all kinds of charity events together and fundraisers, and we have a blast with each other.

McDonald helped the Flames get past the Montreal Canadiens in the 1989 Stanley Cup final, becoming the only visiting captain to hoist the cup in the history of the famed Montreal Forum.

The event will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 3D Children’s Society Charity, which raises money for local students facing medical challenges.

McDonald says he has a ton of respect for the people who got the charity started.

“Those are not easy times those first few years. And to be in their 20th year and to raise the kind of money that they have. But kudos to both the people that are behind it, and the kids that are jumping in and out and helping out, because that;s our next leaders of tomorrow.”

Ron MacLean will host the event, and McDonald says he has all the time in the world for the Hockey Night in Canada host.

“He is just a machine, hosting both Hockey Night in Canada and Hometown hockey, but he is also an encyclopedia. The guy has a steel trap for a mind, he doesn’t miss a thing, and regardless of what city he is in, he comes up with unbelievable nuggets about that city.”

Tickets for the event, which will take place at the Bowes Events Centre, are still available through the Revolution Place box office.

by Jeff Henson