A full slate of CJAY 92 radio personalities including Gerry Forbes, Red Dog, the Reaper and Chris Foord are expected to attend the Charmont Memorial game this Saturday.
“There were huge headlines everywhere, and being in Calgary it was just so close to home,” said Stephen Murray known on the CJ92 morning show as “The Grunt.”
“We talked about it on the air and had people phone in saying what a great family they are and what a horrible tragedy it is, and we like to do things when we think it can help.”
He said Reaper, the station’s drive home show personality, who is also a hockey dad, came up with the idea of the third jersey.
“Chris and John were so involved with the team, we thought maybe a jersey the kids could keep at the end of the year to remember their friend and coach is where the idea came from,” said Murray.
The gift comes from the stations "Secret Wish” giving program. It started as a Christmas giving program and has expanded throughout the year. It is supported through donors.
“When something comes up like this, we want to do something bigger that would help out the whole team,” said Murray.
The whole crew will be coming out with the radio personalities including its promotional staff and the Road Crew girls. Tony Spoletini of Spolumbos will be coming down and is helping to support a post game barbecue with Encana. Funds raised by the barbecue will be donated to the Charmont Family Trust Fund.
Sports Room Source for Sports has also created a special edition t-shirt for the day, and funds raised from the sale of those will also support the fund.
On Saturday, February 12 the Encana Atom Raptors will be taking on the Indus Hurricanes. This is their final league game of the season. The game will include a ceremony to retire John’s jersey, unveiling of a memorial shadow box to honour the family and introduce the team’s third jersey.
Game time is noon.