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Date: 7/13/2021
WEST SPRINGFIELD – After a lost 2020, the Springfield Hockey Heritage Society plans the return of “Hockeyday” – their biggest fundraising event of the year.
The Springfield Hockey Heritage Society is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Lou Bordeaux and his brother Steve founded this society in 2009, after seeing the Rhode Island Reds Heritage Society and had a desire to bring this to Springfield.
In 2011, Bordeaux said they created Hockeyday as a way to give back to alumni players, coaches and staff. Alumni includes all those involved with the Springfield Indians, Falcons and Thunderbirds, along with the Hartford Whalers.
“We’re all a big family,” claimed Bordeaux.
On Aug. 7, from 12 to 3 p.m., Hockeyday will unfold at the Eastern States Exposition, located within the Better Living Center.
Hockeyday begins with an introduction of past players and coaches – all asked to say a few words. Bordeaux said, “This gives them another 15 minutes of fame.”
For Bordeaux, introducing these individuals is his favorite part of the entire day. As he’s seen several of them play over the years, now they are his friends. “It’s almost surreal,” he added.
Following the introduction, a catered lunch is provided to participants. This year, lunch will be served by CenterPlate. Currently, the menu is still in the works.
After lunch, Bordeaux said they have a “social hour” consisting of conversation and a chance to partake in both a brown bag and silent auction. The brown bag auction has between 20 to 30 items for event-goers to enter to win.
Tickets are selling at $25 for Springfield Hockey Heritage Society members and $30 for non-members. Tickets can be bought online through their official Facebook page, facebook.com/hockeyspringfield or by visiting their website, hockeyspringfield.org. The event is open to the entire community.
As of now, Bordeaux said there are about 20 past players who will be in attendance. He informed Reminder Publishing that a lot of alumni reside in Canada and are unable to attend due to the pandemic shutting down the border.
Bordeaux said the Hockeyday directors refer to this year’s event as “Hockeyday 9.5,” due to the absence of about 20 members living up north. Nonetheless, Bordeaux said the event is “still going to be huge.”
In total, the Springfield Hockey Heritage Society has about 350 members. Approximately 100 of those members consist of former players, coaches, etc.
“We’re blessed here in Springfield,” said Bordeaux. “We’re very fortunate in the Pioneer Valley because as hockey has grown, Springfield always has a team.”
Additional information on Hockeyday can be found at https://hockeyspringfield.org/.