List of Hockey Stars Grows for 'The Big Assist'

The list of National Hockey League players who have committed to the Stamford-based "The Big Assist" fundraiser—run by Darien native and Ottawa Senator Ryan Shannon—is growing.

Hall of Famer Glenn Anderson and current Tampa Bay Lightning star Martin St. Louis have recently come on board, adding to an already impressive roll of players signed up for the benefit.

Proceeds from "The Big Assist," set for July 14 (7 p.m.) at the Terry Connors Rink, will go to the Obie Harrington-Howes Foundation, which provides critical care for Connecticut residents with spinal cord injuries.

Anderson won six Stanley Cup during an 18-year career—five with the Edmonton Oilers and one with the New York Rangers—and was inducted into the hockey Hall of Fame in 2008. Over the past few years, he has become friends with Shannon. 

This year's winner of the Lady Byng Trophy, St. Louis also attended the inaugural event last year and has an offseason home in Greenwich.

The cause behind "The Big Assist" is one close to Shannon's heart. His first youth hockey coach, Obie Harrington-Howes, suffered an accident at New York's Jones Beach in 1997 that left him paralyzed.

"Obie was my first hockey coach," Shannon says. "He suffered a spinal cord injury 13 years ago and since then he has dedicated himself to assisting others with spinal cord injuries and disease."

To date, 29 players have committed to attend the event, including a number with local ties.

Other NHL players who have committed include: James Van Riemsdyk of the Philadelphia Flyers, Greg Moore of the New York Rangers, Matt Moulson of the New York Islanders, Nick Bonino of the Anaheim Ducks, Matt Lashoff of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Jimmy Howard of the Detroit Red Wings, and Stratford Jaime Sifers of the Minnesota Wild.

Also in attendance will be Hugh Jessiman, who grew up in Darien and is currently a member of the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals.

 "(The) lineup is the best the area has ever seen by miles and miles," said Ryan's father, Pat Shannon, who is promoting the event.

The roster also includes a number of top college players, such as Union's College's Kevin Sullivan and Colby College's Bobby Sullivan, who played in the Darien Youth Hockey Association.

In addition, three members of Boston College's 2010 NCAA national championship team will be on hand: Tom and Cam Atkinson and Ben Smith. The Atkinsons are Greenwich natives.

Other college players include Steve Moses and Jack Downing of New Hampshire, Yale's Brock Little and Quinnipiac's Ben Ketchum (Greenwich).

Completing the lineup are:

• Tony Romano - Bridgeport Sound Tigers                                                              
• Sean Hurley - Gwinnett Gladiators                                                                                   
• Ryan Hughes - Elite European Leagues                                                                          
• Eric Lind - Elite European Leagues                                                                                   
• Rich Dellarusso- UVM  alum                                                                                               
• Mike Paliotta - US National U-17 team                                                                          
• Ryan McKiernan - Drummondville                                                                                  
• Steve Theall - Hamilton alum                                                                                          
• Ryan Haggerty - US National U-17 team                                                
• Kevin Shattenkirk - Lake Erie Monsters