Rattlers' Season Open Season with Tribute to local hero! Music legend Burton Cummings also wants to

September 19, 2010

Rattlers Seasoning Opening Tribute to Fallen Bradford Soldier Draws the Attention of Canadian Music Icon Burton Cummings - Cummings wants to hold concert prior to upcoming Rattlers' game to raise funds for the family of Brian Collier!

It was Opening Night of the 2010 - 2011 season for the Bradford Rattlers.  A night typically reserved for a celebration of the new hockey season, and a first look of this year's edition of the club that hopes to regain supremacy in the Greater Metro Jr. A Hockey League.

On this occasion, however, it was a far more solemn occasion, as at hand was an issue far more important than the game we all love - the recent loss of another Canadian soldier in some far off land, giving his life for others in the hopes establishing the same democratic rights and freedoms we in Canada take for granted each and every day.

This time, the loss hit close to home!  It was this past July 20th, when Brian Collier, a 24 year old Bradford native, a Sapper with the 1 Combat Engineer Regiment out of Edmonton, was killed after he stepped from his armoured vehicle in Nakhonay, about 15 km. west of Kandahar, and was hit by a blast from an improvised explosive device.  

The Bradford Rattlers Jr. A Hockey Club, a roster once again replete with players from all over the globe, chose this occasion to go beyond the game, inviting local military personnel to attend the game free of charge, providing Jim Collier, Brian's grieving father, with the title of Honourary Captain, and including a musical tribute of traditional bagpipes, something Brian insisted his parents, Jim and Carol, provide for any service, in the unfortunate event he lost his life in the line of duty. 

Jim was also invited in the Rattlers dressing room prior to the game where the team offered their condolences, and where Jim spoke to the team in heartfelt appreciation of their efforts, but where he also spoke so proudly of his son, a man of conviction who acknowledged the risks of the job for which he enlisted, yet felt it a worthy cause.

By all accounts, it was a stirring tribute for a local hero!

In the days that followed, the Rattlers and the GMHL received some unexpected reaction and communications.  The Rattlers were contacted by one of Canada's greatest music icons, Burton Cummings, who somehow caught wind of the tribute, and was impressed.  Cummings, former leader of the legendary Guess Who, who hails from Winnipeg, Manitoba, home to CFB Winnipeg, and a strong supporter of Canada's military personnel, was impressed enough that his manager has been in touch with the Rattlers about the prospect of hosting an hour-long concert prior to an upcoming Rattlers game in order to raise more funds for the Collier family and possibly other families who've suffered a similar loss.

The discussion involved the concept to charge $20 per ticket, include both the concert and the game, with all proceeds going to this new fund.  Details are in the works for Cummings manager to check out Bradford's Bob Fallis Arena in the coming weeks to find out if the facilities are in place to pull off an event like this.  More to come shortly. 

In fact, Cummings isn't the only Canadian Music Icon we've heard from in the last few days!  Kim Mitchell, former frontman of Max Webster, long established and current solo performer, and now local DJ working a daily 5 hour afternoon shift on Q107 Classic Rock in Toronto, has also contacted the Rattlers about a similar event!

Details to come shortly as arrangements are made!

The Bradford Rattlers, along with everyone associated with the Greater Metro Jr. A Hockey League, offer our sincere condolences to the Collier family, pray that G-d provides you the strength to see you through your time of grieving, and offer our thanks to Brian for his contribution in the battle for freedom all over the world.

Stay tuned!