The countdown to the 2013 Memorial Cup is on and organizers are calling out for volunteers.

Tuesday at a media conference, SaskEnergy was named the official sponsor of volunteers, naming ex-NHLer Bernie Federko as the event’s volunteer ambassador.

“I’m going to be the spokesperson for the volunteers to try and attract people,” said Federko.

“They’re the most important thing… I don’t care how much leadership you have or how much planning is in place. If you don’t have good volunteers then you don’t have very much success.”

With 227 days before the puck drops in Saskatoon, bringing Federko in, who still holds the Blades’ record for most points in a season with 187, is already creating a buzz as three SaskEnergy employees including Neil Barron, quickly signed up as volunteers.

“The fact that it’s hockey is even better. Any red-blooded Canadian male loves hockey so the fact that I get to help an organization out and do this when it’s revolving around hockey is even better,” said Barron.

Although Barron isn’t sure what he can expect in terms of special treatment or behind-the-scenes access, he said he’s hoping to meet the next great NHL superstar.

“To say one day, ‘Hey I met that guy before he made it’ would be incredible.”

Jonathan Huntington, sponsorship and volunteer coordinator for the Mastercard Memorial Cup said he’s looking for 600 volunteers to work a minimum of three shifts during the tournament. Assignments cover a wide-range of duties including; hospitality, driving shuttle cars around and even acting as security.

“We want to have a wonderful event and we know the volunteers go a long way doing that for us,” said Huntington.

“One of the great perks besides being involved with the event is that Bernie Federko will be hosting a volunteer recognition party on the final weekend of the Memorial Cup to thank them for being involved.”

The 2013 Mastercard Memorial Cup runs May 16 to 26. Interested volunteers can visit mastercardmemorialcup.ca/volunteer to sign up beginning 8 a.m. on Thursday.

fbiber@rawlco.com

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Sherry Cardinal, Desiree Schultz and Neil Barron, three SaskEnergy employees were the first to sign up as volunteers for the Memorial Cup at a media conference on Oct. 2, 2012.