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WHITESTOWN, N.Y. -- Despite playing overseas now, Whitestown native Mark Mowers hasn't forgotten his roots. Mowers, who moved to the Swiss National League in the middle of last season after spending parts of 10 years in the National Hockey League, has returned home this week for his ninth annual charity golf tournament to benefit The House of the Good Shepherd, and will also host a free youth skate at his old rink.

The youth skate will take place Thursday at the Whitestown Arena from 7-8 p.m. and is open to the public. Mowers will be available throughout the event for photographs and autographs, and there will be a memorabilia raffle, as well. Children are encouraged to bring their own skates.

The golf tournament will be held Saturday, July 5th at Hidden Valley Golf Club in Whitesboro, and slots are still available. The cost is $350 per foursome, the start time is 10:30 a.m., and a dinner will follow. There will also be a memorabilia auction. For more information on either event, call (315) 736-0627.

From 1998-2007, Mowers spent seven seasons as a winger in the NHL, playing for Nashville, Detroit, Boston, and Anaheim. In December of 2007, he left the NHL to join SC Bern of the Swiss National League, and will play there again this season. Mowers says while the NHL was great, he has no intention of trying to return at this point in his career, and is happy to play out the rest of his professional days in Europe. Click the video link to hear Mowers talk about playing overseas.

For more information on The House of the Good Shepherd, click here.