‘Love the atmosphere’: NHL Hall of Famer Ray Bourque to headline St. Thomas Sports Spectacular

Inductee to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, Ray Bourque, a Stanley Cup winner and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, stands between uniforms belonging to Bobby Orr, left, and Maurice Richard, at the hall in Calgary, Alta., Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh)

One of the best hockey players to ever take the ice is among the early celebrities confirmed to attend the 2026 St. Thomas Sports Spectacular.

Boston Bruins legend Ray Bourque holds the NHL records for most career goals, assists and points by a defenceman and is a five-time Norris Trophy winner as the league’s top defenceman.

He joins a growing and impressive head table for the event at the St. Anne’s Centre in St. Thomas, Ont. on Jan. 22, 2026.

Others include Detroit Pistons legend Rick Mahorn, WWE Hall of Famer Fred Ottman (Tugboat/Typhoon), Slapshot movie actor Yvon Barrette and London, Ont. boxing champion Natasha Spence.

The committee says there will be more to come.

“I feel like just the atmosphere,” said Toronto Blue Jay Davis Schneider when asked what he loved about attending the 2025 event.

“It puts a lot of things in perspective. We play a game, and a lot of people have it worse than us. We take this sport for granted sometimes and take life for granted. It just gives a better perspective on how other people are dealing with stuff. The (Special) Olympians were awesome and I just love being there and love the atmosphere.”

In 1978, Father Patrick Costello, pastor of St. Anne’s Parish had the dream to invite celebrities from the world of sport to St. Thomas.

“For almost 50 years, this inspirational event has offered support to local Special Olympics and Community Living, while remaining one of the best nights out in St. Thomas,” said Chairperson Sean Dyke in a news release.

Since its inception, more than $1,000,000 has been raised to support a variety of projects for local Special Olympics and Community Living Elgin.

Tickets will be available to the public starting Nov. 3, 2025.