By Nick Dube

UNBC Legacy Night

Hockey heroes return to Prince George

Jan 29, 2026 | 4:39 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The Prince George Civic Centre was busy Wednesday night as it played host to the 11th annual UNBC Legacy night. The evening featured auctions, speeches and an appearance from keynote speaker the Keeper of the Cup Phil Pritchard with the goal to raise money for the UNBC Timberwolves athletic program. The highlight of the evening was a three-man panel comprised of Stanley Cup winning general manger Brian Burke and former NHL greats and current Prince George Cougars owners Eric Brewer and Dan Hamhuis. Burke who returned for the second consecutive year led the panel and couldn’t have been happier to return to Northern BC.

“I’m very proud to be back here on behalf of the university. I loved my first visit and I’ll keep coming back if they ask me to. Given the fact that funding is being cut everywhere it’s really important to keep raising money yourselves.” said hockey executive Brian Burke.

The three special guests discussed many things including their playing careers, friendships, families and International experiences with all three highlighting their stand out moments from their respective careers.

“That’s a tough question because there is a lot, but just all the guys that I got to play with. There are so many good friendships made along the way. Hockey’s just a fun way to do it together and you are challenged in a lot of ways. You go through the highs and the lows, and there’s the traveling experiences. The Olympics were certainly a highlight for me being able to go there and win. It’s really hard to put your finger on one thing.” said retired NHL defenseman Dan Hamhuis when asked about his favourite career moment.

Public Art

New mural for the Conference and Civic Centre

5m ago

Voices & Culture Summit is more than a conference its creates a place of belonging in the North

2h ago

Expo

4th annual Northern RV & Outdoor Expo underway at CN Centre

2h ago

For Cougars co-owner Eric Brewer UNBC Legacy night hits close to home as his oldest daughter will be playing soccer for the UNBC Timberwolves women’s soccer program next season and highlighted that these events are important and they bind the community. For Brewer who achieved the honour of captaining the St. Louis Blues in addition to playing over a thousand games in the NHL and capturing Olympic gold one moment stood out in a stellar career.

“The privilege of playing in the National Hockey League can’t be understated and it’s a truly a privilege to do it. As you get older and you realize that’s what I got to do and 18,000 people get to choose to watch a game on any given night and you recognize the importance of it. I think about that a lot now and just the privilege of having been in league for so long.” said Brewer.

Legacy night has raised over a million dollars in support of UNBC athletics since the fundraiser was launched over a decade ago.