Last night’s Petey’s Preds Party to benefit the Nashville Predators Foundation and Brent Peterson’s Peterson for Parkinson’s foundation was a roaring success, despite the events of the last two weeks. After standing by helplessly as tragedy followed tragedy, Pred Nation picked itself up and decided that they were going to do something to help someone else.

The event was well attended, almost 1000 people showed up to enjoy a very nice buffet, quaff an adult beverage or two, bid on some really great prizes in a silent auction and enjoy some top notch entertainment. After dinner, the program got going with a touching video tribute to Wade Belak and the three members of the Predator’s family that were on board the ill-fated Lokomotiv plane. It was just the right amount of emotion and sentimentality. The program was hosted by George Plaster, who did a very nice job as Master of Ceremonies. Comedian Jeff Allen got some belly laughs from the crowd commenting on family life and raising children. Appearances by ex-NBA’er Brian Grant and ex-MLB’er Ben Petrick really drove the impact of Parkinson’s home, two more athletes that have joined with Brent Peterson to raise money and awareness.

Ahhh Brent… have I mentioned that I love that man? He is simply amazing. His care and concern for others is something that all of us should try to emulate. He stood in front of the crowd last night and bared the hurt and anguish of dealing with Parkinson’s for the past nine years. His statement that this disease “took away his chance to become a head coach in the NHL” was a gut punch in its simplicity and its power… Brent is an inspiration, and we are lucky to have him as a citizen of this area.

One of the most emotional points of the night came as part of a simple drawing. Emcee George Plaster called up David Legwand to draw the name of the winner of a raffle for a large diamond. Legwand stuck his hand in the bowl... and drew the name of Graham Belak. David was stunned by the chance event and in talking to him after that happened he was still in a state of wonder… hmmm… maybe #3 had a bit of a hand in that… and is smiling at the result.

The conclusion of the evening was a surprise performance by Carrie Underwood, dedicating a very sweet acoustic version of “Jesus Take the Wheel” to Brent. Giving him a hug as she left the stage, Brent was having fun with the moment, joking with his wife about the hug… which then led to a spirited bidding war for the grand prize of the night. The West Coast Road trip. Peterson then showed his auctioneering talents by driving the price up to $10,000… and then managed to sell it twice… I’m not sure who the second bidder was, but the first one was none other than Carrie Underwood… drawing a quip from Brent telling Mike Fisher… “Hey, you can’t take your wife on the road!”

All-in-all, a great time at the Bridge last night… if you’d like to make a donation, surf on over to the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s website

http://www.petersonforparkinsons.org/Donate

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Random Notes

- The idea of a Suter for Stasny trade is simply silly… and people say that Ek makes things up??? Sheesh…

- Please, if you haven’t had the chance… drop a small donation to the Andie and Alex Belak Scholarship Fund. Checks should may be made payable to Woodmont Christian Church/Belak and sent to 3601 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37215.

- 6 days till training camp opens.

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