Jay McClement, BGC South East to host inaugural golf fundraiser

Former NHL player, Jay McClement, who is on the Board of Directors of the BGC South East, is organizing a fundraising golf tournament to give back to the Kingston community.

According to a media release from BGC South East, McClement decided to champion a golf tournament in support of the BGC Youth Sports and Education League. Proceeds will fund new sports and education programs for over 500 children and youth at BGC South East, starting this fall, BGC stated.

“I wanted to organize something that would raise funds, but also awareness,” said McClement. “I’ll be able to get a few minutes during the day at the course to tell people about the work of the Club and that the support stays local and directly helps hundreds of kids.”

“I see how much kids can benefit from learning sports… hockey shaped who I am,” McClement continued.

McClement played 12 seasons in the NHL between St. Louis, Colorado, Toronto and Carolina. According to the release, he began his minor hockey with Gananoque, before playing for Greater Kingston Minor Hockey. At the age of 14, McClement joined the Kingston Voyageurs Jr. A team for 2 seasons.

“Kingston connects me back to my early days… I grew up here, and it is the place where my hockey career started,” McClement reminisced. “I want to give back to the community that raised me.”

McClement left Kingston at 16 to become a member of the Brampton Battalion of the Ontario Hockey League, where his career continued to blossom, BGC stated. During his time in the OHL, McClement represented Canada twice in the World Junior Championships, and was selected in the second round, 57th overall, by the St. Louis Blues. BGS said that McClement’s 906 NHL games are best summarized as being the model two-way center that every coach relies on. According to the release, he was a terrific penalty killer, notably improving, upon his arrival, the 2012-2013 Toronto P.K. to one of playoff calibre.

McClement values and develops team-building, in line with BGC South East coaching and mentoring programs, the organization said. He was named an alternate captain in Colorado, Toronto and Carolina. McClement’s resume also includes a gold medal for Canada at the 2007 IIHF World Championships in Moscow, Russia.

According to the release, McClement settled back in Kingston at the end of his professional career and has remained dedicated to his community. He stays in touch with the hockey world as a professional scout for the Pittsburgh Penguins and gives back to the region as a Director on the Board of local child and youth charity, BGC South East.

“Through coaching minor hockey, I got to know Harold Parsons, Executive Director at BGC,” McClement recounted. “I was amazed to see all that the West End Community Centre has to offer… It’s a great community gathering space.”

The Jay McClement & Family Charity Golf Classic will take place on Friday, July 15, 2022, and will feature golf, cart, lunch & dinner, with prizes and a silent auction.

“This is a way for Kingston to recognize Jay and his family… the winners are our children and youth,” said Harold Parsons, Executive Director at BGC South East.

“Just last week, a BGC youth was crowned champion at the National Wrestling Trials. These are the kids and youth that the Tournament will support. We are developing the skills in children that grow their potential and achievements in the future,” Parsons added.

According to the release, McClement is happy to spearhead the inaugural tournament this year and aims to build this tournament into an annual hallmark of the Kingston community.

“Family is the whole idea, to have an event that is accessible and puts all the proceeds back to developing our Kingston community,” he said. “To me, the most important thing is striking a chord with people that can become supporters for years to come.”

Registration for the event is now open and may be done at: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/72535