In a hockey shootout, Jim Cuddy is no Mats Sundin.
Still, the Blue Rodeo frontman, who laced up the skates for a head-to-head shootout against former Vancouver Canuck Cliff Ronning yesterday at GM Place, has got some moves and no doubt dangled around his fair share of beer-league goalies over the years.
"I played as a kid, then when I got to be a teenager I didn't play for 10 years," Cuddy says. "And then I got a little bored with all the extracurricular stuff that comes with music and I started to hear about musicians' leagues ... It's a good way to keep in shape for the stage and it's fun."
Cuddy and Ronning put on the show for local media to announce the lineup for this year's Juno Cup, which takes place March 27 at UBC Thunderbird Arena, with funds raised going to the music education charity, Musicounts.
"We give $10,000 grants to schools," Cuddy said. "All you have to do to qualify is ... have an ongoing fulltime music program. Really it was to try to replace instruments. And it's stunning how much need there is out there."
Eight former NHLers are taking part, including Ronning, Bob Probert, Paul Coffey and Russ Courtnall.
Rockers include Cuddy, Sarah McLachlan, Dustin Bentall and many more.
"I know Mr. Bentall takes the game very serious, so we'll have to keep our elbows up against him," said Ronning. "Sarah McLachlan will be kind of interesting. I might have to use the body. She's probably the only one I could hit and stay on my feet."
And what did the ex-Canuck think of Saturday's Sundin goal?
"I thought it was the best-scripted goal in Canucks' history," he said. "He was just so calm and made just a great move and I think this city's been waiting for someone that can handle the pressure and it looks like he can."
- The lengthy lineup for JunoFest 2009 was announced yesterday afternoon at HMV on Robson and Burrard. Almost 90 acts are slated to perform, including Kinnie Starr, Dustin Bentall, Said the Whale, Eldorado and the Trews.
- Tickets for the Juno Cup are $14.99 through Ticketmaster. For a complete list of performers and ticket info, visit www.junofest.ca.
