NHL Players Soak Up the Sun at Kalamalka Beach for Vernon Hospital

Vernon residents got to party with NHL players on Friday in celebration of some major donations to the local community.

First round of SUP polo at @NHLPA Community Celebration. Up next, @kevinhillsbx will try his luck. #nhlpaVernon pic.twitter.com/dfVrDSvZC2

— City of Vernon (@CityofVernon) July 10, 2015

Thanks @CurtisLazar95 for the photo op! Such a great day! #NHLPAVernon #VernonisAwesome @InvestVernon @CityofVernon pic.twitter.com/tPG4TwjVMb

— Tourism Vernon (@TourismVernon) July 10, 2015

About 2,000 people came out to the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) Community Celebration at Kalamalka Beach, which raised funds for the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation. This day of beach fun included paddle boarding, autograph and photo sessions with the players, volleyball, SUP polo, and live music.

Ticket sales and a jersey auction with NHLPA-donated jerseys raised $7,000 for the hospital. Not only that, but the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund donated $50,000 worth of new hockey equipment to minor hockey associations in Vernon, West Kelowna, and Salmon Arm.

$7K raised for VJH from @NHLPA jersey auction at Kal Beach Celebration today @CityofVernon pic.twitter.com/p4dACVxT6H

— VJH Foundation (@VJHFoundation) July 10, 2015

Happy young fan getting an autograph from @Hartsy43. #NHLPAvernon pic.twitter.com/kGyxcOV7NQ

— NHLPA (@NHLPA) July 10, 2015

There were about 20 current and former NHL players at the beach, coaching SUP polo, announcing winners, and presenting new equipment to young minor hockey players. These NHLers included Curtis Lazar, Andrew Ference, Scott Hartnell, Cam Atkinson, Steve Webb, Jason Chimera, David Booth, Manny Malhotra, and others.

The community celebration on Friday was the second event of the festivities, as Thursday was the 23^rd annual NHLPA Golf Classic, which raised $100,000 for charity.

Cody Franson poses with young Salmon Arm players. #NHLPAvernon pic.twitter.com/bOYoNVAObv

— NHLPA (@NHLPA) July 10, 2015

Group shot of our NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund donation of $50,000 to local hockey programs in the Okanagan #NHLPAvernon pic.twitter.com/RIgjxpA26W

— NHLPA (@NHLPA) July 10, 2015

Andrew Ference of the Edmonton Oilers testing out his paddleboarding skills. (Photo Credit: City of Vernon)