NHLer Ryan Ellis hosts golf tournament to rebuild Hamilton playgrounds

Ryan Ellis of the Nashville Predators is teeing-off with other NHLersto raise funds for the redevelopment of existing playgrounds in his hometown of Hamilton.

Ellis, a native of Freelton, recently set up the Elly4Kids Foundationwith the goal of raising at least $30,000 annually to help create safe and fun play environments for local children.

It takes a village to raise a child

"Ryan has always had a great relationship with kids," said JacquesLanthier, the father of Ryan's girlfriend and co-organizer of the event.

Having known Ryan since his Grade 9 year,Lanthiersaid Ryan has always wanted to do something for children, to help give them the same opportunities he was given growing up.

Working with the City of Hamilton, the pair were givena list of a number of parks and play equipment that could use an upgrade.Lanthier said this year the money will go towards the redevelopment of Andrew Warburton Memorial Park. Next year, money will be put toward a different project, but the funds will always beaimed at benefiting children locally.

"Ryan's still a really young man and he appreciates the childhood that he had," Lanthier said.

It might be cliche, he added, but thesayingit takes a village to raise a childis very true for Ellis. "When he was a young man in Hamilton, he received that kind of support."

Spots to play in the tournament filled up soon after the event was publicly announced, Lanthier said. There will be 144 golfers taking part and around 192 guests for the awards dinner and silent auction to be held afterward. More than a dozenNHL and OHLplayers will be in attendance including:

• Max Domi Arizona Coyotes
• Ryan Strome New York Islanders
• Austin Watson Nashville Predators
• Kevin Bieksa Anaheim Ducks
• Tyler Gaudet Arizona Coyotes
• Don Koharski and Bob Myers former NHL referees

Visit elly4kids.com for more information about the foundation.