Roy's van broke down twice this weekend, including once just this side of the U.S.-Canada border in Maine. He had a feeling it wouldn't make it from Vermont to Race Brook Country Club. Fortunately, a replacement van became available Monday morning, and Roy arrived to a hero's welcome at the 10th annual golf tournament.

"Ten years. I never would have dreamed it," said Roy, who was paralyzed from the shoulders down on his first shift for the Boston University hockey team in 1995.

"It's amazing. If there's one reason for it, it's because the Fergusons (John and Michael) put on a great day. There are a lot of causes, a lot of golf tournaments that come and go."

The tournament continues to draw support from the local hockey community, led by former Trumbull residents Chris and Ted Drury, along with New York Rangers defenseman Tom Poti.

With 61 foursomes playing, with a dinner, and with auctions and raffles of hockey memorabilia, the event could raise around $30,000, Michael Ferguson said. "It's a great group of people. It's fun," Ted Drury said. "It's kind of become a big family of people all supporting Travis. Hockey's kind of threaded through it."

Local hockey figures in attendance included women's Olympic team member Julie Chu of Fairfield, NHLer Eric Boguniecki of West Haven, former Sound Tigers Steve Valiquette (bound for Russia next season) and Jeff Hamilton, and Trumbull High coach Greg Maxey.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers assistant coach Dave Baseggio (still no final word on his potential ascension to head coach), Sound Tigers trainer Garrett Timms and former Bridgeport executive vice president Todd Boe played together. Former NHL enforcer Dave Schultz and Boston University coach Jack Parker also attended. ESPN's John Buccigross was a co-host.

"It seems every year the same people are back," Chris Drury said, "and we pick up a few more."

Both Chris Drury and Poti, NHL veterans, were hoping recent progress in negotiations results in an end to the nine-month NHL lockout.

"Obviously I think everyone — owners and players — everyone wants to do what's right and get back on the ice," Chris Drury said. Said Poti: "We fought for something we believed in. It looks like we're losing, but you can't really tell 'til everything comes out. It's going to be good for everyone if we're playing."

Desperation attempts in February to save the 2004-05 season would have put the salary cap at about $42 million per team, had the players accepted the league's proposal. The latest reports have the cap around $35 million.

"The union told us we'd never have to accept a cap, and all of a sudden we're looking at a really low-number cap," Poti said. "Basically the only reason we did it was to get the season going in time."

On a sultry afternoon at Race Brook, hockey season felt a long time off, though a reminder of the sport that brought the group together was never far away. "It's amazing to see some of the people keep coming out year after year, supporting the cause and trying to get (Roy) out of the chair," Poti said. "He's such a great kid, a great personality. He's always got a smile on his face."

Roy has traveled to deliver motivational speeches, and his foundation continues to help victims of spinal-cord injuries and support research. "He's very honest with what he's gone through, and he shares it with other people," Ted Drury said. "He's a very helpful, giving person, even with what he's gone through."

Unfortunately, requests have outpaced fundraising.

"I'm still hopeful for the day," Roy said, "when we don't need any foundation anymore."

On the Web:

www.travisroyfoundation.org