On Oct. 24, students at Springbank’s Edge School for Athletes will have the opportunity to learn about greatness from the Great One himself.
Wayne Gretzky, along with TSN analyst Darren Pang, will be speaking to student-athletes and their families for about a half-hour, even opening up the floor for a question and answer period.
Lauren Ritchie, director of marketing and communications for the school, said she hopes the chance to hear from Gretzky and Pang will leave students inspired to excel.
“There will be a theme of greatness and what it takes to succeed as a leader,” said Ritchie. “Greatness isn’t just given to you — you have to work for it.”
She added that about half of the school’s student population is part of the hockey academy. However, she said Gretzky’s message of greatness is applicable in all aspects of life.
“For us to give our students the ability to recognize that greatness comes with hard work — that’s how they will reach their personal bests and recognize excellence in themselves,” she said.
Following the discussion, Gretzky and Pang will be whisked off to Calgary’s BMO Centre, where they are on the roster for this year’s Edge Legacy Dinner. Ritchie said about 1,200 guests will be attending the sold-out event.
Gretzky will be taking the stage at the dinner, participating in the Battle of Alberta Hockey Legends — an interactive discussion that includes the likes of Lanny McDonald, Paul Coffey and Theo Fleury.
The event, which gets underway at 7 p.m., will also feature a live and silent auction.
The money raised at the dinner will go to support the students and programming at the school.
“We want to ensure that the money goes into the sport academies,” said Ritchie. “The students need to get what they need, in terms of academics and athletics.”
