GRAND FORKS, N.D.--Today I was able to catch lunch with former UND All-American and 2000 Frozen Four MVP Lee Goren, who stopped in Grand Forks on his way to his hometown of Winnipeg, where he is organizing a charity golf fundraiser for autism.

The first annual Winnipeg Sun Lee Goren and Friends Autism Invitational is set for Monday, July 13 at the Niakwa Golf and Country Club in Winnipeg. Goren, the tournament chairperson, is putting the finishing touches on the event and hopes to raise approximately $60,000 for autism, a disability that is diagnosed in one out of every 150 children in North America, including one of Goren's own close friends.

Goren, known as the "Scorin' Goren" during his collegiate days, has 108 entrants registered for the tournament and is drawing closer to his goal of 144. He said entries will be accepted right up until the day of the event and anyone interested in registering can visit the tournament's official website.

Former Sioux taking part include three teammates from UND's 2000 NCAA championship team -- Ryan Bayda, Karl Goehring and Andy Kollar -- and Travis Zajac.

Notable National Hockey League players taking part include Vancouver's Kevin Bieksa, Calgary's Dustin Boyd and Detroit's Derek Meech. Former NHL standouts like Reggie Leach, Ed Olczyk, Tim Cheveldae and Mike Keane will also be on hand. 

Another NHLer and former Sioux, Zach Parise, has donated an autographed, game-used USA Hockey jersey (and stick) from the most recent World Hockey Championship, one of several dozen hockey jerseys donated as prizes.

Other prizes donated to the cause include Green Bay Packers tickets, New York Yankees tickets and NASCAR tickets.

UND athletics and Canad Inns joined together to donate four tickets and two night's hotel accommodations for UND's November men's hockey series against St. Cloud State.

For the 31-year old Goren, the tournament will cap off a hectic year that included the birth of his first child, son Oliver, and a Swedish Elite League championship with Farjestads BK Karlstad.

Jayson Hajdu is the media relations director for the University of North Dakota athletic department. He can be reached via jaysonhajdu@mail.und.edu.