LUCAN – Organizers report that “at least 1,000 fans” watched the 2nd annual Logan Couture charity hockey game here Saturday at the Lucan Arena.

After the 4-on-4 game was tied at the end of regulation time, Couture fired the winning goal in a shootout—giving Team Lucan a 13-12 victory over Team Irish.

Proceeds from the game will go to Lucan minor hockey, an association Couture, 23, played in as a youngster growing up in the Lucan area. St. Marys Jr. B Lincolns will also receive a portion of the proceeds.

Proceeds from the silent auction are going to Lucan Area Heritage and the Donnelly Museum.

Couture, a forward with San Jose Sharks, was one of several professional hockey players (NHL and AHL) from the area who played in the celebrity game. Also taking part were some notable OHL and NCAA players.

Couture and Los Angeles Kings’ defenceman Drew Doughty, who also makes his summer home in London, drew the most attention during the autograph session in Lucan’s community centre prior to the game.

Two presentations

Just prior to the ceremonial puck drop, there were presentations made by the NHL and the NHLPA.

The following is a statement, read by LHM president Brian Lewis, from the NHL Foundation.

“The National Hockey League is proud to donate the 2012 National Hockey League All-Star Game Award of $10,000 to the Lucan Minor Hockey Association on behalf of Logan Couture. We understand that the donation will be used to further the development of young hockey players in the Lucan Minor Hockey program.

“Congratulations to Logan and to all the hockey players in the Lucan on receiving this award and furthering good work in their community. The National Hockey League.”

Lucan minor hockey plans to use the funds provided by the NHL Foundation to help cover ice time costs.

The NHLPA was represented at the game for their announcement by Devin Smith, Ryan Parker, and former NHL player Steve Webb (NY Islanders).

The statement made by Devin Smith read as follows:

“The NHLPA ‘Goals & Dreams’ program is extremely proud to be making this donation to Lucan minor hockey in the name of former Lucan minor hockey player and NHLPA member Logan Couture. Logan is a tremendous young man who we are very pleased to have worked with in the past, and look forward to continuing to work with in the future.

“By the large turnout here tonight it is obvious that this community is very happy to support his cause of raising funds for Lucan minor hockey. We have committed to covering the full cost of providing brand new sets of jerseys for each of the 15 member teams of Lucan Minor Hockey Association, making our donation in the amount of $13,000.”

From the total funds raised from the gate and silent auction, a donation of $2,500 is being made to the Jr. B Lincolns, who generously offered support for the game by providing volunteers who participated in ticket sales, hockey trainer and equipment staff, site security, and parking supervision.

Note: Honourary coaches for Team Irish were former Lincoln Terry Crisp and Lucan native Brian Noyes, who scouts for the Lincs. Brian is the father of former Lincolns Mike and Greg Noyes.