The ride captains for the June 23rd event are Zack Kassian and Darren Banks
It's $1-million and counting as organizers of the Bob Probert Ride prepare for this year's event.
The ninth annual ride is set for June 23rd starting at Thunder Road Harley-Davidson in Windsor with funds going toward the satellite cardiac centre in Tecumseh's new Sportsplex.
The ride raises money for cardiac services and equipment in Windsor and Essex County and since it started, it has raised over $1-million.
The two ride captains for this year's event are Windsor's own and Edmonton Oiler Zack Kassian, along with former NHLers Darren Banks.
(L to R) Zack Kassian and Darren Banks are this year's ride captains. April 24, 2019 (Photo by AM800's Teresinha Medeiros)
Kassian only met Bob Probert once, but it was enough to leave an impression.
"Bob is a legend," he says. "I play in the league now and people still talk about Bob, I think everyone knew who Bob was as a player, he was everything I dreamed about being in the NHL, he was a guy that could score goals, he could stand up for his teammates."
Banks considered Bob a good friends saying he was a great ambassador for the game.
"He did something and I did it myself that other players didn't want to do and he was great at it and every guy on the team appreciated a guy like that on the team."
Probert's widow Dani says it's an honour to keep Bob's memory alive.
"Honouring Bob that was first and foremost, and we do that every year and knowing that we are helping people right here in our community for the cardiac services having, a third satellite location in the east end is going to be incredible."
Probert died July 5, 2010 after suffering a heart attack.
The main cardiac rehab centre is located on Prince Rd., along with a satellite centre in Leamington.
100% of funds raised in the event stays local.