Former members of the National Hockey League's Boston Bruins and players from around Akwesasne joined forces on Saturday, Dec. 6 to play a benefit game for Akwesasne Minor Hockey, which drew about 500 people to Anowarakowa Arena.

The Boston squad included such greats as Ray Bourque, who to this day holds the NHL record for goals and assists scored by a defenseman. Also on the ice was Terry O'Reilly, who finished his career with 2,095 penalty minutes and a +212, a testament to his skills on defense. He was also known for being an ample shooter.

"We enjoy playing, we're competitive and we know we're making a difference," Bourque said. "Hockey's given us a lot."

Part of the game featured Akwesasne Minor Hockey players taking to the ice for five minutes with the Bruins, and Bourque said he likes seeing kids at such a young age pursuing the sport.

"I can totally relate to kids who look up at you," he said, adding that his career took him from that very youthful admiration to "living the dream."

The NHL Hall-of-Famer says he also partakes in events like these for his own sake.

"Hockey is the kind of sport where even if you slow down, you can still play ... still go out and have fun, still compete," he said.

Boston won the match, outscoring their Akwesasne opponents in two of three periods. Bourque tapped in the final goal of the game with 33 seconds on the clock, after taking a pass from Tom Fergus. The two were teammates from 1981 to 1985.

Before the teams took to the ice, Akwesasne youth flag carriers put on a show with Bruins and Haudenosaunee flags on hockey sticks. They included Chanel Thompson, Drey Thompson, Rylan Adams, Dash Adams, Jett Jock, Carey Terrance, Tysen Sunday, Emma Ransom, Autum Benedict, Treytin Sunday, Carter Jackson, Cameron King, Kara White and Taeys Benedict Phillips.

Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Grand Chief Mike Kanentakeron Mitchell performed the honorary first puck drop.

Akwesasne Minor Hockey League President Toby Sunday, who suited up and skated with the Akwesasne Mohawks, said he was thrilled to see his players able to share the ice with NHL greats.

"Seeing these little kids play against the Bruins, seeing them skate, it's something they'll remember their entire lives," Sunday said.

He said he was grateful to the large volunteer contingent working behind the scenes to pull off the event.

"It's priceless ... for them to set up and help. It's really important," according to Sunday.

Several members of the Swamp family were on-hand, who are dedicated Boston Bruins fans. They included Lawrence, Dyan, Kaia and Kania Swamp and family friend Joli Gibson.

"It's awesome," said Kaia Swamp, age 8.

"We saw them when they were in (the NHL) and it's exciting to be seeing them here," Lawrence Swamp said.

"When Boston is up in Ottawa, we go to see them," Dyan Swamp said.

Alumni Hockey Line-up

AKWESASNE MOHAWKS

77 Steve Thomas

66 Josh Jacobs

27 Adam Thompson

7 DeCota Thompson

16 Toby Sunday

22 Casey Swamp

20 Randy Conners

9 Nathan Sunday

18 Ian Mitchell

44 Mark Thomas

12 Scott Thompson

10 Dan Garrow

11 Roddy McKenzie

88 Carey Terrance

19 Owen Swamp

Coaches: Mac Thomas

Tyler Sunday

BOSTON BRUINS ALUMNI

24 Terry O'Reilly

16 Rick Middleton

13 Ken Linseman

1 Reggie Lemelin

43 Al Iafrate

20 Bob Sweeney

28 Tom Fergus

18 John Wensink

42 Tim Sweeney

40 Bruce Shoebottom

Akwesasne flag carriers open the event. Photo by Andy Gardner.

32 Bruce Crowder

25 Mike Krushelnyski

21 Frank Simonetti

13 "Ace" Loran

Coaches:

Brian Goodleaf

Charlotte McDonald