Yeah hooray for Ron Francis!

NEWS RELEASE

********************** Sault Ste. Marie to honour Ron Francis

The city of Sault Ste. Marie will pay tribute to former National Hockey League star Ron Francis who retired in October after a distinguished 23-year professional hockey career.

At its regular meeting Monday evening, city council passed a resolution declaring Thursday, February 23 as Ron Francis Day in Sault Ste. Marie.

A committee consisting of local citizens Jerry Bumbacco, Gino Cavallo, Joe Maione and councillor Steve Butland will work on organizing events for the Francis tribute.

The highlight event will be a public reception and dinner at the Marconi Club.

Tickets, at $50 per person are now available from any committee member or at the Soo Pee Wee Arena.

Francis has agreed to donate net proceeds from the dinner to the Pee Wee Hockey League to help offset registration and equipment costs for aspiring young players.

A civic reception is also planned.

Ron Francis retired with 1,798 career points, 1,249 total assists, second only to Wayne Gretzky and 1,731 games played.

He won two Stanley Cup championships as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991 and 1992.

He recorded 22 consecutive 50 point seasons matching Gordie Howe for the longest seasons with 50 or more points.

In 1991, Ron was awarded the Sault Ste. Marie Medal of Merit.

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact any of the committee members: Gino Cavallo, 949-5638, Joe Maione, 949-5800, Jerry Bumbacco, 759-6604, or councillor Steve Butland, 949-1909.

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