Canadian Hockey Icon, Ron MacLean, Brings Hockey to Croatia

TORONTO, July 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - Ron MacLean was the host of the first ever Gold Medal Plates tour to the Adriatic.  Canadian Olympic philanthropists were there to face off with each other at Hockey Night in the Adriatic in Hvar, Croatia.

"The fisherman of the Dalmation Coast were keenly interested in the hockey nets strapped to the mast on our boat, and were wondering what we were planning on trying to catch," said Ron MacLean.

Cheering on the teams, led by Captain Alan Doyle, lead singer from the Great Big Sea, and Captain MacLean were His Excellency Mr. Edwin Loughlin, Ambassador of Canada to Croatia.  Ringers on the team included Olympic Gold Medallist, Adam Kreek and members of the junior and senior teams of KHL Medvescak Zagreb.  Dropping the puck was the Mayor of Hvar, Mr. Pjerino Bebic.

"We are delighted to host this group of 72 Canadians from across Canada who represent thousands of Canadians who have been supporting Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes at the annual Gold Medal Plates Celebration of Canadian Excellence," said Stephen Leckie, CEO of Gold Medal Plates. "This amazing trip is one of six international adventure hosted by Canadian celebrities and Olympians and all are auctioned off at the Gold Medal Plates galas".

About Gold Medal Plates
Gold Medal Plates is the ultimate celebration of Canadian Excellence in cuisine, wine, entertainment and athletic achievement. Celebrating in ten cities across Canada in 2011, Gold Medal Plates will feature superb wines and the premier chefs in each city, paired with Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes, in a competition to crown a gold, silver and bronze medal culinary team in each city, and subsequently nation- wide at the Canadian Culinary Championships.

Founded in 2003, the goal of Gold Medal Plates is to raise substantial funds for Canada's high performance athletes, while celebrating Canadian excellence. Since 2004, this event has received tremendous support and accolades all across Canada, and generated a combined net total of $5 million for Canada's Olympic and Paralympic athletes! For more information, visit the Gold Medal Plates website www.goldmedalplates.com

The Canadian Olympic Foundation - Beneficiary of the Events.  Net proceeds from Gold Medal Plates are given to the Canadian Olympic Foundation to support athletes through high performance programs.  To learn more about the foundation and the programs it funds, please visit www.olympicfoundation.ca.

SOURCE Gold Medal Plates Inc.