Vancouver Canucks' Kevin Bieksa organizes charity hockey game

Locked out by the National Hockey League, Kevin Bieksa has put his idle time to good use. He’s organizing a charity hockey game featuring a number of his Vancouver Canucks teammates against the UBC Thunderbirds. The game—dubbed Bieksa’s Buddies—is scheduled for October 17 at 7 p.m. at UBC’s Doug Mitchell Sports Centre.

Along with Bieksa, Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Dan Hamhuis, Cory Schneider, Manny Malhotra, Max Lapierre, and former Canuck—and 2012 Stanley Cup winner—Willie Mitchell are all slated to take part. The game is being played to raise money to benefit Canuck Place, Canucks Autism Network and the Canucks Family Education Network.

“We understand that there are many people impacted by the NHL lockout and we know charities such as Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, Canucks Family Education Centre, and Canucks Autism Network need funds to continue operating their programs,” Bieksa said in a statement released by UBC. “These organizations do great work for our community. It is important for my Buddies and I to lend a hand and with the help of the UBC Thunderbirds—we have the perfect opportunity to do so.”

Tickets for the charity game go on sale Saturday (October 6) and are available through Ticketmaster.