Calgary Flames' Jarome Iginla talks with reporters follwoing his end of season medicals in Calgary, Alta., Monday, April 9, 2012.The Canadian Press
Through last-minute arrangements and a change of heart, there will be Calgary Flames' players participating in the team's 32nd charity golf tournament this week.
The National Hockey League team issued a news release late Tuesday stating those players not in New York attending labour sessions between the league and its Players' Association would take part in Thursday's annual golf event.
"We were pleased to be informed by our players' group today that several members of the team will be participating in our annual golf event," Flames president Ken King said in a statement. "The players who are not attending the NHLPA meetings this week … and are in the city already for camp, have advised us that they will be swinging the clubs for the Flames Foundation for Life. We respect and understand the scheduling conflict that exists and appreciate that our available players have made the decision to participate."
The Flames' players originally told team officials they would be passing on the tournament due to ongoing labour negotiations and the possibility of a lockout beginning Saturday. The players had previously participated in the tournament to help raise money for various local charities but many have been active in NHLPA meetings aimed at reaching a new collective agreement with the NHL
Without the current players, plans were made for former Flames and various Calgary celebrities to golf with fans and sponsors, all of whom were informed when the current players' first decided not to attend. King said he was grateful to "all our sponsors and participants want to continue to support the tournament. They totally appreciate that the heart of this event is about important fundraising for local charities."