"I know there has been strong support for Tommy in Peterborough so I'm pleased I was asked to get involved. Murray Henderson did a great job on the painting so I hope it helps raise even more money to help cover the costs associated with Tommy's treatments out in Calgary." - Steve Yzerman (Story courtesy of The Peterborough Examiner)

Hockey great Steve Yzerman and Peterborough artist Murray Henderson have teamed up to raise a whopping $25,000 for the Tommy Garrett fund. Yzerman was being treated for a groin injury in Detroit over the weekend when he signed a limited edition of 19 prints and four artist proofs to be sold on a first-come, first-served basis today.

Henderson said the stretched canvas prints were limited to 19 because 19 is the Detroit Red Wing centre’s jersey number. Prints are $1,000 each and four artist proofs, more detailed and 25 per cent larger in size, are $1,500 each.

Yzerman played for the Peterborough Petes in the early 1980s and is Tommy’s favourite player.

Yzerman said he wished Tommy the best and hoped he would recover soon. "I know there has been strong support for Tommy in Peterborough so I'm pleased I was asked to get involved,” Yzerman said. “Murray Henderson did a great job on the painting so I hope it helps raise even more money to help cover the costs associated with Tommy's treatments out in Calgary.

Tommy and his parents need money for their many expenses while Tommy is treated at an Alberta Hospital for a rare complication of a bone marrow transplant to fight leukemia. Garrett family spokesman Don Cumming said he didn’t know the exact amount in the fund, but speculated the fund would top $100,000 if the print sale is successful.

“The prints are a remarkable gift that reflects the creativity and generosity of the artist,” Cumming said. “It’s an example of how the sports and the artistic communities are uniting to help Tom.” Henderson said the work, featuring a collage of Yzerman poses and his Stanley Cup and Olympic wins, will become a rare and highly sought collectible. The prints, he said, are being offered in Peterborough today. Tomorrow, they will be offered for sale in Detroit. “We expect they will go fast,” Henderson said. For information on purchasing the print please click on http://www.murrayhenderson.com and check out the Tommy Garrett section. (Story courtesy of The Peterborough Examiner)