NHLer Ryan Ellis brings back charity golf tournament to fund Hamilton playgrounds

Nashville Predators defenceman Ryan Ellis has announced his charity golf classic will be back for another year.

Last year's event saw several pro hockey players in attendance (like Max Domi of the Arizona Coyotes and Anaheim Ducks defenceman Kevin Bieksa).

Over $43,000 was raised last year for Ellis' Elly4Kids Foundation, with $30,000 of those proceeds donated to the city to support upgrades to playgrounds in urban areas.

• NHLer Ryan Ellis funds new play structure in east Hamilton

Funds were used on the new play structure at Andrew Warburton Memorial Park, in east Hamilton.

"This is a way for me to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the people of Hamilton for the support I received throughout my youth while I was developing into a professional hockey player," Ellis said in a media release when the new playground was unveiled, last August.

"I would like to see every kid have the same opportunities I was given while growing up."

This year, the charity aims to raise funds to install new play structures at North Central Park, which is at 467 Wentworth Street.

Attendees at the tournament will include former Maple Leaf captain Rick Vaive, hockey hall of famer Paul Coffey and Stanley Cup winning defenceman Ric Nattress.

The tournament will be held on June 29, at the Beverly Golf and Country Club in Copetown, Ontario.

Ellis' Predators have clinched the last wildcard spot in the NHL's western conference, and will head into the Stanley Cup playoffs next week.