Our Full Celebrity Roster
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Bryan Berard
Biography
After emerging as a star in the OHL with the Detroit Junior Red Wings/Detroit Whalers, Bryan Berard was drafted by the Ottawa Senators 1st overall in the 1995 NHL draft. After scoring 48 points from the blue line as a New York Islanders rookie, Berard won the 1997 Calder Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year. In 2000, while a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Berard suffered a serious eye injury after being clipped by Marian Hossa’s stick. His right eye was severely slashed sclera, which resulted in a retinal tear and detached retina. Despite suffering such a horrific injury that many considered career ending, Bryan was determined to play in the NHL again. After many surgeries that resulted in his vision in the eye being improved to 20/600, and being fit with a special contact lens, Bryan made the New York Rangers out of training camp, and played in all 82 games during the 2001-02 season. For his courageous comeback, Bryan was awarded the 2004 Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy. Bryan also played for the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets and enjoyed a second stint with the Islanders before playing a final season in the KHL. He currently lives in Lincoln, Rhode Island and was a contestant on CBC’s Battle of The Blades in 2011.
Patrice Bergeron
Biography
One of the best two-way centre men in the NHL today, Patrice Bergeron is a proven winner. Throughout his career thus far, Bergeron has been a member of Team Canada Gold Medal winning team at the 2004 World Championship, 2005 World Junior Championship, and has won 2 Gold Medals at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Bergeron also holds the distinction of being the first player to win a Gold at the men’s World Championship before winning at the junior level. In addition to his success on the international stage, Bergeron has also been a key member of a highly successful Boston Bruins team over the past several seasons, with whom he won a Stanley Cup with in 2011.
Allan Bester
Biography
Perhaps best known for his stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the late 1980s, goaltender Allan Bester played a total of 219 NHL regular season games for the Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and the Dallas Stars over 10 NHL campaigns. Bester also won a Calder Cup in 1993 with the Adirondack Red Wings and was awarded the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as the AHL’s playoff MVP. Bester finished his career in the mid-to-late late 1990s in the old IHL, playing for the San Diego Gulls and the Orlando Solar Bears.
Brian Billick
Biography
Originally drafted in the 11th round of the 1977 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers out of Brigham Young University, Brian Billick was cut from both the 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys, and never had a career in the NFL as a player. After being cut from the Cowboys, Billick returned home to Redlands, California and served as a wide receivers coach for the University of Redlands football team. This would lead Billick to San Diego State, Utah State and Stanford, where he would hold several assistant coaching positions over the next 11 years. In 1992, Billick made it to the NFL as a coach when the Minnesota Vikings hired Billick as their tight ends coach. Soon after in 1994, the Vikings promoted Billick to their offensive coordinator. In Billick’s 7 seasons coaching in Minnesota, the Vikings made the NFL postseason 6 times. In Billick’s final season as the Vikings offensive coordinator, Minnesota set a then-NFL record for most points in a season with 556. The success of the Viking offence with Billick as their offensive coordinator made him a prime candidate for a NFL head coaching job. In 1999, the Baltimore Ravens hired Billick as their head coach. Throughout his 9 seasons as Baltimore’s head coach, Billick guided the 80-64 record in the regular season, and a 5-3 record in the playoffs. Billick’s tenure as the Ravens’ head coach is highlighted by a victory in Super Bowl XXXV. After Billick’s tenure with the Ravens, he has appeared on both The NFL Network and Fox as a football analyst.
Larry Bird
Biography
A true Boston Celtics legend, Larry Bird joined the Celtics in 1979, after a stellar collegiate career with Indiana State University. Standing at 6’9, Bird made an immediate impact for the Celtics playing the forward position. During his rookie season, Bird averaged 21.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.7 steals per game. At season’s end, Bird received the NBA’s Rookie of The Year Award and was selected to the NBA’s All-Star team. Bird’s outstanding rookie season would prove to be an indication of what he’d become. Bird would go on to win the NBA’s MVP Award in 3 straight years (1984-1986). Also in 1986, Bird was named the Associated Press Athlete of The Year. Bird’s individual success also fueled the Boston Celtics dynasty of the 1980s, as the Celtics won the NBA Championship in 1981, 1984 and 1986. In the Celtic’s 1984 and 1986 championship victories, Bird was named the NBA Finals MVP. The 1992 Summer Olympics marked the first time that the Americans sent professional basketball players to the Olympics. Joined by the likes of Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan, Bird helped team USA capture a Gold Medal. Following the 1992 Olympics, Bird announced his retirement as a player and took a job as a special assistant in the Celtic’s front office. He would hold this position until 1997, when he returned to his home state of Indiana to become head coach of the Indiana Pacers. In his first season as the Pacer’s coach, he led them to a 58-24 record and won the NBA Coach of The Year Award. Bird would resign as the Pacers head coach in 2000, and is currently the Pacers President of Basketball Operations. At the conclusion of the 2012 season, Bird was named the NBA Executive of The Year. Larry Bird is the only person to win the NBA MVP Award, the NBA Coach of the Year and the NBA Executive of The Year throughout his career.
Ben Bishop
Biography
Standing at 6’7, Ben Bishop is the tallest goaltender to ever play in the NHL. After playing minor hockey for the Kirkwood Stars and the St. Louis Jr. Blues, and junior hockey for the Texas Tornados of the NAHL, Bishop was drafted by his hometown St. Louis Blues in the 3rd round, 85th overall in the 2005 NHL Draft. After being drafted, Bishop would play 3 seasons of college hockey at the University of Maine, during which time he led Maine to 2 consecutive appearances in the Frozen Four. After completing his 3rd season at Maine, Bishop signed with the Blues. Bishop would spend 3 and a half seasons in the Blues organization, spending most of the time in the AHL with the Peoria Rivermen, but did appear in 13 games with the Blues. On February 26th, 2012, the Blues traded Bishop to the Ottawa Senators for 2nd round draft pick. Bishop, who at the time of the trade was leading the AHL in several statistical categories, finished the season with the Senators, appearing in 10 games for the team. After starting the 2012/13 season with the Senator’s AHL affiliate due to the NHL lockout, Bishop appeared in 13 games with the Senators after the NHL lockout ended. Midway through the 2013 season, Bishop was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning, with whom he’d finish the season. Since being acquired by the Lightning, Bishop has emerged as an elite NHL goaltender, leading Tampa to 2 playoff appearances and a trip to the 2015 Stanley Cup Finals in his first 2 full seasons as the Lightning’s starting goalie.
Rod Black
Biography
Rod Black has been a sports journalist for over three decades. He has covered the NBA, the Toronto Blue Jays, the MLB playoffs, the Bell Canadian Open, the 1992 Summer Games in Barcelona, Spain and the 1994 Winter Games in Lillehammer, Norway, the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City as well as the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, calling figure skating and short-track speed skating. Black can share his observations of sport and what he believes makes an athlete a champion. Black’s extensive sports resume includes play-by-play announcing for the CFL on TSN, as well as hosting duties for golf, the NBA on TSN and international hockey. He is a five-time Gemini Award nominee for Canada’s Best Sportscaster.
Rob Blake
Biography
Rob Blake played in the NCAA D1 hockey at Bowling Green State University. The Los Angeles Kings selected Rob 70th overall in the 1988 NHL entry draft. Blake became a full-time NHL player during the 89-90 season, joining the L.A. team with Wayne Gretzky. In 1990-91, he had 12 goals and 46 points and the blueliner was awarded to the NHL’s All-Rookie Team. In his 3rd season, Blake was a key part in helping the Kings to the Stanley Cup Final, although they were defeated by the Montreal Canadiens. The following season, Rob saw a career best 48 assists and 68 points. In 1995-96, saw Wayne Gretzky traded to the St. Louis Blues, and Blake was named captain becoming to 11th Captain in franchise history. Blake served as captain for 4 seasons and in 1997-98 was awarded the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenceman. During his 11 season with the Kings Rob was traded to the Colorado Avalanche. In his first season with the Avalanche Blake helped lead the team to the Stanley Cup championship defeating the New Jersey Devils in seven games. During the summer of 2006, after 4 seasons with the Avalanche Rob re-joined the Los Angeles Kings as a free agent and once again named captain. In summer of 08, Blake signed as a free agent with the San Jose Sharks. Aside from his NHL illustrious career, Rob also played a significant role with Canadas National program. He was a member of Team Canada in three consecutive Winter Olympics, winning Olympic gold in 2002 and earning top defenceman honours in 1998. He represented Canada at the World Championship five times, winning gold in 1994 and 1997, and silver in 1991. He also added a silver medal at the World Cup tournament of 1996. Rob Blake became the eleventh member of the prestigious Triple Gold Club. Through 19 NHL seasons, Blake played 1,270 games, scoring 240 goals and 537 assists for 777 points. Rob was inducted became a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Bob Blumer
Biography
Born in Montreal, Bob Blumer is known as the host of The Surreal Gourmet, Glutton for Punishment, and World’s Weirdest Restaurants, all which air on The Food Network. Blumer’s shows have won several awards, including the Leo Award for Best Host in an Information or Lifestyle Series, the Galaxi Award for Best Information Program a Gemini Award for Best Information Series. Prior to Blumer’s cooking career, he attended and graduated from the HBA program at the Richard Ivey School at the University of Western Ontario and was a business manager for singer Jane Siberry. Blumer has written 4 cookbooks and holds attempted and broken several world records. Blumwe’s list of Guiness World Records include making the largest bowl of salsa (weighing 2672 pounds), most pizzas made in 1 hour (168), removing the most individual grains of rice from bowl with chopsticks (134 grains of rice in 3 minutes) and quickest to peel 50 pounds of onions (2 minutes 39 seconds).
Tessa Bonhomme
Biography
Tessa Bonhomme played four years of NCAA hockey at Ohio State University. During her time with the Buckeyes, she received several accolades including Ohio State’s Most Valuable Freshman in 2004, the 2008 WCHA Player of The Year and Defensive Player of The Year and WCHA First All-Star Team Selections in both 2007 and 2008. Bonhomme is also Ohio State’s all-time leader scorer for a defenseman with 128 points and is the only defenseman to rank in the top 30 in NCAA points per game. Bonhomme also has an impressive International resume as a member of the Canadian National Women’s Team. She was a member of Canada’s Gold Medal winning team at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Bonhomme has also won 2 Gold Medals and 3 Silver Medals at the World Championships and won a Silver Medal at the 2009 Canada Cup. In addition to her hockey career, Bonhomme has also pursued a career in broadcasting. She previously worked for Leafs TV, and since September of 2014, she has been a host and reporter for TSN’s SportsCentre. In 2011, Bonhomme became the first female hockey player to compete on CBC’s Battle of The Blades, which she won with skating partner David Pelletier.
Laurie Boschman
Biography
Boschman who played in the NHL for 14 seasons for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Senators. Boschman was claimed in the 1992 NHL Expansion Draft by the Ottawa Senators. He was the team’s first captain during the team’s d first season. Boschman is one of only sixteen players in NHL history to have recorded over 500 points and over 2,000 PIM in their career.
Jennifer Botterill
Biography
Jennifer Botterill was a member of the Canadian Women’s Hockey Team from 1997-2011 and has attended 4 Olympic Games. She is a three time Olympic Gold Medalist (2002, 2006, 2010) and an Olympic silver medalist (1998). She is a five time World Champion and was twice named the most valuable player at the World Championship tournaments.
Jennifer is a graduate of Harvard University and completed her degree with honours. She also played hockey for Harvard and is the only two time winner of the Patty Kazmaier award (given to the top player in women’s college hockey). She still holds the NCAA records for most consecutive games with a point and for most points in a hockey career.
Jennifer is a keynote speaker and works in television with CBC and TSN.
Brian Boucher
Biography
A first round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in 1995, goaltender Brian Boucher debuted with the Flyers in the 1999/00 season. Playing in 35 games as a rookie, he led the NHL with a 1.91 goals against average. After three seasons with the Flyers, he was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes in the summer of 2002 and instantly became their starter. During the 2003/04 season, Boucher set a modern day NHL record posting five consecutive shutouts! After stints with the Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets and the San Jose Sharks, Boucher returned to the Flyers for the 2010/11 season. After spending the 2011/12 season with the Carolina Hurricanes, Boucher rejoined the Flyers organization for a third stint before spending a final season in EV Zug in Switzerland. Boucher is currently a commentator for the Flyers.
Bob Bourne
Biography
Although Bob Bourne was drafted to by the Kansas City Scouts, he was traded to the New York Islanders before his NHL career began. Debuting for the Islanders in 1974, Bourne played 14 years in the NHL. He was on all four of the Islanders championship team and led the Islanders in playoff scoring en route to their fourth cup in 1983. In 1986, the Islanders put Bourne on waivers. He would be claimed by the Los Angeles Kings, where he would spend the final two seasons of his career. Bourne won the Bill Masterson Trophy following his final NHL season. After retirement, Bourne would go on to coach several minor league teams and now runs a hockey camp in Kelowna, British Columbia.
Shae-Lynn Bourne
Biography
A former ice dancer who was partnered with Victor Kraatz for the majority of her career, Bourne and Kraatz became the first North American Ice Dancers to win a World Championship, when they won their 1st and only title in 2003. However, Bourne and Kraatz have 1 2nd place finish and 4 3rd place finishes together in their careers at the World Championships. Bourne and Kraatz also competed together at 3 Olympic Games (1994, 1998, 2002) and have won 10 Canadian titles together. Since retiring from competition at the conclusion of the 2003 World Championships, Bourne has skated in shows and tours around the world, such as Stars on Ice, Champions on Ice and Art on Ice. Bourne has also appeared on several reality television shows that revolve around figure skating, such as CBC’s Battle of the Blades and ABC’s Thin Ice.
Ray Bourque
Biography
Bourque played 22 seasons in the NHL, and holds the all-time records for most goals, assists and points for an NHL defenseman. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004 which was his first year of eligibility. Bourque was drafted by the Boston Bruins 8th overall in 1979. He would go on the spend 21 seasons in Boston and in 1985 he was named a co- captain of the team. In 1988 he was named sole captain of the team; he would hold that title for the rest of his time in Boston. In his first year (1979-80) Bourque was named Rookie of the Year, a First Team All-Star and scored 65 points which was a record for rookies at the time. During his time with Boston he would win five Norris Trophies as the league’s top defenseman. His highest goals and points totals in one season was 31 goals and 96 points in 1983-84, his highest assists total in one season was 73 in 1990-91. Bourque would play in three Stanley Cup finals, his first two with Boston in 1988 and 1990 where his Bruins would lose to the Edmonton Oilers. In the 1999-00 season Bourque was traded to the Colorado Avalanche for a chance to win a Stanley Cup. In the 2000-01 season Bourque would finally win the Stanley Cup in his last game in the NHL.
Joe Bowen
Biography
Known as the “The Voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs”, Joe Bowen has been at the microphone since 1982, broadcasting over 2100 Maple Leaf games. Bowen claims he got his catchphrase “Holy Mackinaw!” from his father, who used the phrase as an alternative to swearing. He is also well known for his creative way of announcing starting goaltenders at the beginning of games. Bowen, along with partner Greg Millen are the voices of Leafs games heard on Rogers Sportsnet and Leafs TV. The pair are also frequently heard on the radio on Sportsnet 590 The Fan and TSN Radio and CBC for playoff games. Joe currently resides in Unionville, Ontario.
Scotty Bowman
Biography
Regarded as one of the greatest coaches in the history of sports, Scotty Bowman has won the Stanley Cup 13 times throughout his legendary career. 9 of those Cups have comes with him in the role of head coach. 5 of those Cups came when he was head coach of the Montreal Canadiens in the 1970s, one as head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1992, and three as head coach of the Detroit Red Wings championship teams in 1997, 1998 and 2002. In addition Bowman won the Stanley Cup with the 1991 Pittsburgh Penguins as Director of Player Development, the 2008 Detroit Red Wings as a consultant, and in 2010 and 2013 in his current job as Senior Adviser of Hockey Operations with the Chicago Blackhawks. He also served as head coach and General Manager of the Buffalo Sabres in the 1980s. Bowman got his first NHL coaching job with the expansion St. Louis Blues. He led the Blues to the Stanley Cup Finals in each of their first three seasons. Although they never won the cup, this put Bowman on the radar of the Montreal Canadiens, and the rest is history.
Tom Brady
Biography
Born in San Mateo, California, Tom Brady attended Junipero High School and graduated from St. Mary’s Cathedral in 1995. In addition to being a star football player, Brady was also an excellent baseball player and was drafted as a catcher by the Montreal Expos in the 18th round of the 1995 MLB Draft. Brady would play college football for the University of Michigan. After backing up fellow future NFL quarterback Brian Griese, Brady started every game in the 1998 and 1999 seasons. Brady’s career highlights as Michigan’s starting quarterback include the 1998 Rose Bowl, 1999 Citrus Bowl and the 2000 Orange Bowl. Not regarded as a blue chip prospect coming out of college, Brady was drafted by the New England Patriots in the 6th round of the 2000 NFL Draft. This is now considered one of the greatest steals in the history of any draft. In Brady’s 2nd season with the Patriots, Brady took over as starting quarterback for an injured Drew Bledsoe. Brady subsequently led the Patriots to a victory in Super Bowl XXXVI and won the Super Bowl MVP that same season. Since then, Brady has guided the Patriots to 3 more additional Super Bowl titles (XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX). Brady was also the game MVP in Super Bowls XXXVIII and XLIX. In addition to winning Super Bowls as the cornerstone of the New England Patriots, Brady has also been named to the Pro Bowl 10 times and is a 2 time NFL MVP. He has also won several awards outside the NFL, such as the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year in 2005, the Sporting News Sportsman of the Year in 2004 and 2007, and the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year Award in 2007. Brady has also been named to the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team and currently holds the NFL record for most career wins with a single team.
Billy Bridges
Biography
Born with spina bifida, Billy Bridges developed into a multi-sport athlete. Bridges has played both sledge hockey, and wheelchair basketball for the Canadian Para-Olympic team. Despite not starting to play sledge hockey until age 12, Bridges became the youngest ever to be picked for the Para-Olympic Team, when he was named to the team at 14 years old. Throughout his sledge hockey career, Bridges has 3 Gold Medals and 2 Bronze Medals at the IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships. In addition to his success at the World Championships, Bridges was a member of Canada’s Gold Medal winning team at the 2006 Para Olympics in Torino and won the Bronze Medal at the 2014 Games in Sochi. In wheelchair basketball, Bridges was a member of Team Canada at the 2001 World Junior Championships and has won 7 Canadian titles with Team Ontario throughout his career.