When Aaron Downey was fancying himself a No. 9 Gordie Howe on Honeywood ice a quartercentury or more ago, he was shooting right-handed with the best hockey stick on the market, a Sherwood that cost less than $20.

His entire hockey outfit back then might have cost a total of less than $100.

Now, after 15 years in the National Hockey League he's 6-foot, 225 pounds and in "the best shape I have ever been." Today, Downey, 34, watches kids skate with sticks that cost more than double what his entire minor league outfit cost, and skates that cost four or five times that much.

Aaron, coming off perhaps the longest season of his life as a Detroit Red Wing and negotiating with "three or four" other teams for the 2009-10 season, views the present equipment, registration and transportation costs as an impediment to the development of a great many future NHLers who might have more talent than those who will get there — only because the costs are out of reach for their families.

He doesn't want the NHL to become an enclave of wealthy families who alone can pay the price of a ticket there.

That's why, last year, he along with brother Trevor Downey and Montreal Canadien Shawn Kilshaw established House 9 Hockey Foundation and that's why, on August 29, they are holding their second annual fundraiser in Shelburne featuring a barbecue at 4 p.m. in the fairgrounds followed by a hockey game and a family dance at the Centre Dufferin Recreation Complex.

It's hard to tell which will be the greatest draw to the event: the pro hockey players who will take on the Muskies, the five musical entertainment groups, or simply the desire to support the cause espoused by House 9 Hockey — to help as many talented kids as possible realize their dream of a hockey career despite the financial cost.

And the cost can be a tremendous burden on families, especially when more than one child has hockey aspirations.

House 9 Hockey, through funds raised in its first year, was able to make it possible for about a dozen area kids to advance their dream.

Aaron expects that number to triple in the second year locally, and he says the idea is catching, such that House 9 is gaining publicity via Hockey Night in Canada and other communities have been calling to ask if they can adopt the House 9 name.

Saturday, Aug. 29, at Shelburne could not only help local kids but could reach out for young persons in other areas.

It is certain to be noticed. The headline musical act is a group called Arkell that has been lauded by City TV and the Hamilton Spectator, has two labelled albums to its credit and is currently touring coast-to-coast to positive reviews. The fivemember group includes Max Kerman and Mike DeAngelis on vocals and guitar. Dan Griffin on vocals, keyboard and guitar, Nick Dika on bass, and Tim Oxford on drums and percussion.

There's also noted Jesse LaBelle, and two local groups, Opus Road and Atlantis Blueprint.

At 6 p.m., Kyle Quincy (of Colorado Avalanche), Aaron, Darren Helm, Darren McCarty, Justin Abdelkader and Jamie Tardiff (Detroit), David Clarkson (New Jersey) and Marty Turco (Dallas), among others, will face off against the Muskies.

You can enjoy the game for an adult admission fee of $10, child's $5, and under-6 free. And you can go to the dance and the music for $10 and bring the kids along free.

For further information contact Trevor Downey at 519-217-7783, Sue Snider at 519-940-1688 or email: house9hockey@sympatico. ca