Moncton Welcomes Back Ted0

By NEIL HODGE
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT STAFF

Ted Nolan gained celebrity status here as the head coach who guided the Moncton Wildcats to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League championship in 2005-06.

He will be looking to make a different kind of impact when he returns here next month. The Ted Nolan Foundation will hold its second annual general meeting in Moncton from Jan. 8-10 and there will be a fundraising luncheon on Jan. 8 at the Delta Beausejour Hotel.

There are 600 tickets available for the luncheon and they’re on sale at the Wildcats office or by calling 877-304-6652. It’s $75 per ticket or $750 for a 10-seat table. A tax receipt will be issued less cost of meal.

The Ted Nolan Foundation will award two $4,000 scholarships to New Brunswick First Nations women who wish to complete their education. The remainder of the money raised at the luncheon will go toward developing programs at the community level for First Nations youth.

“The Ted Nolan Foundation is having its national meeting in Moncton so we wanted to lend a hand by raising some money,” said Sharon Thivierge, a senior management person with Irving Group Moncton who’s the event chair for the luncheon.

“Ted did a great job with the Wildcats and he was very popular in the community. This is our way to recognize him and the great cause that his foundation supports.”

The Ted Nolan Foundation is looking to develop community level programs for First Nations youth, raise scholarship funds for First Nations women who want to complete their education and help develop future Aboriginal leaders.

Nolan’s mother, Rose Nolan, died after being hit by a drunk driver in 1981.

Nolan is honouring the memory of his mother by awarding scholarships to First Nations women in her name.

On his website (www.tednolanfoundation.com), Nolan notes that many young First Nations people grow up in substandard housing, lack self esteem and lose hope.

His registered charity promotes healthy lifestyle choices for Aboriginal youth.

Nolan, raised on the Garden River Reserve near Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., played and coached in the National Hockey League.

He was named NHL Coach of the Year with the Buffalo Sabres in 1996-97.

For many years, he has operated First Nations hockey camps and done motivational speaking across the country.

He’s now vice-president hockey operations for the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League.

There will be a silent auction on Jan. 8 at 11 a.m. at the Delta Beausejour Hotel.

All proceeds go to the Ted Nolan Foundation.

There will be hockey and non-hockey items available, including a 1993 Timbit minor hockey jersey signed by Sidney Crosby.

The Wildcats will send their bus to the St. Mary’s First Nation in Fredericton on Jan. 9.

“We’ll bring around 20 First Nations youth back to Moncton,” said Thivierge. “Ted will talk to them in the afternoon and they will attend the Wildcats game that night. Ted wants to reach out to the younger kids. It’s a great cause and we’re happy to be able to help him.”