The Vu Pham Memorial Celebrity Hockey Game Aug. 12 in Wingham has already sold out, said Kincardine native and NHL referee Kevin Pollock, who is helping to organize the game.
Pollock said the idea of the game came about as he wanted to do something for the Pham family.
“I have been an NHL referee for 11 years now and I have always gone to celebrity events but I have never organized and put my name on something. When this terrible tragedy happened I wanted to help.
“Also, my wife was a police officer, and she got her start as an OPP officer out of Huron County back in 1995. This really hit home for our family.”
Pollock added he tried to get as much local talent as possible since the community would like to see players from the area.
Among the players taking part are Justin and Anthony Peters, Cal and Ryan O’Reilly, retired New York Ranger Jeff Bloemberg, Dave McLlwain who played over 500 NHL games, NHL linesman Scott Cherrey, Belleville Bull Brett Cato, Lane MacDermid who won the Memorial Cup with Windsor and was drafted by the Boston Bruins, Phoenix Coyote draft pick Brett MacLean, London Knight Colin Martin who was invited to the New York Rangers camp this year, Nashville Predator Nick Spaling, Colorado Avalanche draft pick Joey Hishon, retired NHL player and Stanley Cup winner Greg de Vries, Ottawa Senator Chris Neil,  St Louis Blue Andy McDonald and Corey Perry and won the Stanley Cup in 2007 with Anaheim as well as a gold medal with Team Canada in 2010.
Also on the team will be Los Angeles King Drew Doughty, who was also a member of Canada’s Olympic gold medal team.
Pollock said since it would have been too hard to coordinate schedules, he picked a date and hoped it worked for most people “and fortunately it has worked out great.”
As well as the game, there will also be an auction, with some of the items so far including Bobby Orr and Dion Phaneuf signed jerseys and two tickets to a premium Toronto Maple Leaf game, as well as other items such as skates, golf passes and London Knights tickets.
While the game is sold out, Pollack said people can attend the silent and auction inside the Knights of Columbus Hall without purchasing a ticket to the game.
“I think we have put together an event with players and auction items that will really make Wingham and Huron County proud. It is an exciting event with all the hockey players that are coming so I hope everyone comes out to support the Phams.
“This is Wingham’s opportunity to see NHL players up close and make a happy memory out of something that was so tragic and rare in Canadian policing.”