Special Olympics PEI is thrilled to announce that the following celebrities will be attending the 2018 Special Olympics Festival:
John Chabot, originally from Summerside, PEI, was selected in the first round in the 1979 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) draft. He won the QMJHL Briere Trophy for MVP, and the CCM QMJHL Player of the Year in 1981-82 with Sherbrooke. In 1980, the Montreal Canadiens drafted Chabot 40th overall. Chabot, a center, played 508 games in the NHL between the Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburg Penguins and Detroit Red Wings. Chabot has also spent time coaching, both in the QMJHL, and as an assistant coach with the New York Islanders.
Chris Wideman, originally from St. Louis, Missouri, was drafted 100th overall, in 2009 by the Ottawa Senators. In 2014, after his third season with the Binghamton Senators of the AHL, Chris Wideman tallied up 61 points, the most by a defenseman. This performance earned him a spot on the Eastern Conference Team for the All-Star Game, as well as the prestigious Eddie Shore Trophy, awarded to the top defenseman in the AHL. He made his NHL debut on October 17, 2015, in a home game versus the Nashville Predators.
Darryl Boyce, Summerside, has most recently played with EG Duesseldorf and ERC Ingolstadt in Germany. Before playing overseas Boyce played junior hockey for the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors, University hockey with UNB, in the AHL, predominantly with the Toronto Marlies, and in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Also returning to this year’s Festival are longtime supporters of Special Olympics PEI: Dion Phaneuf and Elisha Cuthbert:
Dion Phaneuf was drafted 9th overall in the 2003 NHL entry draft. Having previously played for the Ottawa Senator, Toronto Maple Leafs, where he served as Team Captain, and the Calgary Flames, Phaneuf now plays for the LA Kings. Phaneuf is a three-time NHL All-Star. On the international stage, Phaneuf has been a member of Team Canada five times winning silver at the 2004 World Juniors, gold at the 2005 World Juniors, and gold at the 2007 Men’s World Ice Hockey Championships.
Elisha Cuthbert is a longtime supporter of the Enriching Lives Gala; her attendance is much anticipated by Gala guests. Cuthbert is the recipient of several film and TV industry awards, including a Gemini, 4 Teen Choice Awards, and 2 Screen Actors Guild Awards. Her films include The Girl Next Door, Old School, Love Actually, and most recently, Goon: Last of the Enforcers. Cuthbert’s TV credits include playing Kimberly Bauer on the television show 24 and Abby on Netflick’s The Ranch.
Further celebrity announcements are expected in the coming weeks. More information on the Festival can be found by visiting our Festival Celebrity Page.
More about the Special Olympics Festival
The Special Olympics Festival is Special Olympics PEI’s largest annual fundraiser. Funds raised enrich the lives of Islanders with an intellectual disability through sport. Special Olympics PEI relies on these funds to offer grass roots programing, quality competitions, trained coaches, and much more for athletes of all ages and ability levels. The Festival is a two part event which includes the Summerside Luncheon (being held at the Credit Union Place) and the Enriching Lives Gala (in Charlottetown at the Delta Prince Edward by Marriott Hotel). This year’s event is being held on Tuesday, June 26th.
Tickets for the Luncheon are $40 each, or $300 for a corporate table of 8, while tickets for the Gala are $110 each, or $880 for a corporate table of 8, and are available by calling Charity Sheehan at 902-368-8919.
