The Hockey News: Headlines: Actor Tim Robbins hopes to bring love of hockey to charity game in Toronto

Actor Tim Robbins hopes to bring love of hockey to charity game in Toronto

Actor Tim Robbins, Nov. 27, 2007. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Stuart Ramson

2008-08-28 18:10:00

TORONTO - Tim Robbins loves the New York Rangers but has recently been given one less thing to love about the team - they weren't able to re-sign pest Sean Avery this summer.

Fortunately, the actor and hockey fanatic will have a chance to say his goodbyes when both he and Avery take part in the Festival Cup charity hockey game at Air Canada Centre on Sept. 5. They're among a group of celebrities and NHLers that will be on the ice in support of Right To Play.

Robbins is looking forward to it.

"I did request to be on a line with Sean Avery, who I am very sorry that the Rangers lost," he said Thursday.

The final roster of participants won't be released until next week but the list of those already committed is pretty impressive - NHLers Joe Thornton, Jason Spezza, Curtis Joseph, Matt Stajan, Robyn Regehr, Mike Cammalleri, Andrew Ference and Avery.

The celebrities include Robbins, Alan Thicke, "Juno" director Jason Reitman, D.B. Sweeney and Cameron Bancroft.

Robbins has played in several charity games over the years but still gets a little nervous when he steps on the ice with NHLers.

"Those guys are fast," he said. "I seem to be slowing down a little bit. We'll see what happens.

"It's always fun though. I don't think there's anyone going to try laying anyone out."

Robbins first started playing hockey as a kid while growing up in New York. He gave up the game for a time before finding his way back in 1993 and has been participating regularly since then.

There are several websites that feature photos of the six-foot-five Robbins playing roller hockey on the streets of Manhattan. As a tall defenceman, he's comfortable being called the Chris Pronger of celebrity hockey.

"I'm about his same height," said Robbins. "I'll take that."

When he appears in the celebrity game on the opening weekend of the Toronto International Film Festival, he'll have more to speak with Avery about than that player's new contract with the Dallas Stars.

Robbins says one of his favourite hockey movies is "The Rocket" - the 2005 film about Maurice Richard in which Avery played a small part.

Tickets for the celebrity game can be purchased through Ticketmaster.

COMMENTS (25)

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jimbo Posted
(2009-04-30 06:56:04)

let the dead vote for their dead.

Mike Posted
(2009-04-30 06:55:55)

grant44, its not his fundraiser, he was asked to take part. Secondly Ruutu plays for the Senators now you idiot. Obama 08, fools! Festival Cup was fun!

grant44 Posted
(2009-04-30 06:55:00)

Funny that Ranger-lover Robbins has no Pens playing in his fundraiser. What - would Ruutu mess up your hair too much, Timmy??

T.Roy Posted
(2009-04-30 06:54:20)

Don't make me start hatin' on ya' like I do Avery now Robbins. I always thought you were alright.

eldricksc Posted
(2009-04-30 06:54:18)

Hey jim Reinecke, don't sweat a thing, we've got it all covered here in the Midwest so you can relax & hit all the Blues opening home games. To help put you at ease we have registered to vote every dead person in the last 100 years in the Missouri Valley and beyond. And every illegal alien from the 49th parallel to Browsville, Texas is now on board also. In the event that Election night does'nt look like it will turn out well, we have over 10,000 minority voters ready to go public with how they were denied at the Poles and 25,000 lawyers already coaching and handling them. Jim- just enjoy the NHL kick-off.

Joe Friday Posted
(2009-04-30 06:54:16)

Just the facts Jim R, just the facts please.

Jim Reinecke Posted
(2009-04-30 06:54:14)

EBGB: Eternally Bigoted & Genuinely Berserk. See Ya, gang! Got something truly important to do between now and November 4!

Guerin Posted
(2009-04-30 06:54:08)

The only thing actors have to offer is time. Sad. I wish brain waves could move up on that short list of theirs. But what can be expected from one who recites scripted words with "feelings" for a living. Who is it that is said to fill the vacuum of emptied minds? Clue: it aint McArthy! Robbins appearance for Right to Play in no way makes up for his alliance with the groups who are/have stripped children of phys.ed and now are hammering away on recess time at schools & next is mandatory pre-school (no, romper-room is not playtime). Robbins also is a big backer of all the US judges & bureaucrats who work harder for convicted perverts rights than making public parks free from such. Robbins works to tear down what Right To Play hopefully is attempting to correct, thus a hypocrite which Hockey should distance itself from.

Jay Lange Posted
(2009-04-30 06:54:02)

Wonderful to see such a great actor participate in the world's greatest game and donating his time to such a worthy cause. It's rather disappointing to see so many comments about political orientation however. Actually, It's pretty pathetic really. It's a game people...and a charity one at that! Keep your feelings about politic's out of it! Sheesh!!! I feel like we're in some kind of time warp back in the McArthy era...calling people "commies" and "reds" etc. Enough already! The only cold war we'll get to experience is when the NHL resumes play this season...and that's just the way I like it.

Flyerfan52 Posted
(2009-04-30 06:54:01)

Wasn't Robbins in "Howard the Duck?" I was hoping the celebs would be more like Kiefer Sutherland. If he's able to do it, I'd like to see Michael J. Fox act as honorary captain. Regardless, good cause, reasonable prices and Mike's last line is right.