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Thursday, August 6th, 2009 - 04:52:25

What do professional hockey players, Les Stroud (AKA Survivor Man), and the Northern Ontario community of Hornepayne have in common?  They will sweat, sacrifice, and suffer for the champions of tomorrow! ON TV!!

If professional hockey players like Brad May are known for living lavishly… then that’s about to change. If Les Stroud AKA Survivor Man is known more for his rugged endurance, and less for his community outreach work…then that’s about to change. If Torontonians, O-towners, Vancouverites, and most other Canadians have never heard of Hornepayne Ontario…then that’s about to change.

This summer from August 14 to 16, 2009, Survivor Man Les Stroud and Brad May will challenge current and alumni NHL players, among others, to survive in the Northern Ontario wilderness in order to raise funds to refurbish the arena in Hornepayne. Will the players be able to trade their five-star lifestyle as they try to endure a televised wilderness-filled weekend in the woods?

“Hockey players are a tough crew so I am sure they will do well in the challenges that Les dishes up for them.” May said. “I’ve told the other players that this will be the ultimate camping experience, so everyone is excited for it. We hope corporations will get onboard and people will join us at the event – and they may see themselves on the TV special.”

Les Stroud will provide the participants a brief survival class, toss them a copy of his bestselling book SURVIVE! and then set them loose in the wilderness to survive without food or drink. If that wasn’t enough, Stroud has a number of challenges planned for the players. The final challenge should see them emerge into the town of Hornepayne for a celebratory BBQ, to which the public is invited to attend on Sunday, August 16, 2009, from 12-5pm at the arena for a $5 donation to the event.

“This is about testing peoples’ limits, while raising money for a community in need. We hope to make this an annual event.” Commented Stroud. “Watch for the show to air on the Rogers Network soon.”

We are suspicious that some of the challengers, including Toronto Maple Leaf’s Alex Ponikarovsky and Matt Nichol (strength coach), Buffalo Sabres’ Steve Montador and Chris Butler, Colorado’s strength coach Paul Goldberg, the Washington Capitals’  Brendan Morrison, free agents Brad May and Andrew Peters and, the NHL’s Kris King are counting on corporate partners to provide them with some relief in the woods through products and services that weekend...but they may be out of luck.

The event is still actively seeking new sponsors to increase the benefit to the arena in this small community, population 1200. The organizers want to thank the current sponsors who have contributed to upgrades for the Hornepayne Community Arena, including the installation of a new dehumidifier system, including: the NHLPA Goals & Dreams, Les Stroud Productions, Muskol, Coleman, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Hydro One, Kidsport, ESSO, the Hornepayne Bears, the Township of Hornepayne, and the Legion. Contact Event Manager Nadine Robinson to sponsor the event at (705) 575-1525 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Not every team can be crowned the champions of the challenge, but the good news is that everyone involved comes out a winner. 

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