NHLer Ryan Ellis funds new play structure in east Hamilton

An NHLer and Flamborough native held a charity golf tournament to raise money for new playground equipment at Andrew Warburton Memorial Park. And this weekend, he was on hand for the formal opening.

Ryan Ellis, a Nashville Predators team member who grew up in Freelton, raised the money through the Elly4Kids Foundation and the June 27 tournament in Copetown.

"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.

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

Ellis's foundation contributed $30,000 to the structure, which opened on Saturday.