Pond hockey tournament a success, organizers say

By Dan Cannataro

The 436 Squadron canucks team having a good time during the first intermission of their game at Saturday’s round robin tournament for the second annual pond hockey classic. Photo by Austin McKay.

The second annual Pond Hockey Classic kicked off last Saturday in Batawa to raise money for the Military Family Fund. The event really capitalized on Canada’s past time.

All the money goes to help injured members in the military who have lost limbs or had other serious injuries.

The Military Family Fund fundraiser skyrocketed from $6,700 to just over $30,000. This was surprising correspondent and event organizer, Troy White.

“I didn’t expect to raise this much money, it feels great but a lot of its been because of the sponsorship,” said White.

Fourteen military teams and four civilian teams participated. Each got at least three games and the best from the round robin entered the play-offs, where it was single elimination. Until the championship game of course. To take part in the tourney each member on the team had to pay $50. All of the money goes to charity.

“The importance of the occasion is a way to interact with our military base in Trenton, not just Batawa and

to raise a lot of money to the militaries family fund,” said Major Dave Snow.

“Money is a direct input to those families in need or soldiers who otherwise would receive benefits that aren’t’available through current government services. Definitely a worthwhile cause and we’re very pumped about it.”

Upwards of 50 volunteers took part all weekend. The event started on Thursday night with a fundraising dinner and the tournament was underway Friday morning.

“Yeah obviously any event like this relies incredibly on its volunteers and we’ve had a lot.

We kind of split it up into three days,” said Snow.

After the dinner on Thursday night, a silent auction was held and that turned out to be a huge money grab for the cause. Leafs legend Ron Ellis attended the dinner as the guest of honour as his son was playing on one of the teams to help raise money.

Ellis played 16 seasons for the Leafs. Finishing with 332 goals and 640 points, he was on the roster the last time they won the Stanley Cup in 1967.

The Toronto Maple Leafs organization played a part as Leafs TV was on hand supporting the cause.

“We have been traveling around Ontario looking for outdoor rinks and when we found out about the outdoor hockey facility the military from CFB Trenton put together and we had to take part in such a community event on behalf of the Maple Leafs organization,” said Colleen Aird, a Toronto Maple Leafs Fan Zone representative for Leafs TV.

“Ellis was not just a celebrity that showed up looking for good publicity, he truly believes in this cause and his son is taking part in the tournament,” said organizer Jeff Moorhead

Ellis also took part in the ceremonial puck drop with Minister of Defence Peter Makay.

“Yeah of course Mackay showing up, although it wasn’t for long was amazing. We all know he had a busy schedule and for him to just show up really meant a lot,“ said White.

Sponsors played a huge role in the event. Much more event organizing was done this year compared to last. Sponsor additions are the main reason there was such a rise in money made.

“This year there was far more major corporate sponsorships, almost half of that came right off the bat from American Express,” said Snow.

Many other corporate businesses, such as McDonalds, Canadian Tire, TSN and Scotia bank also played a role.

“The Military Family Fund is very important, started as a agency and saw a need for, always there to help where there’s a need,” said Major Snow.

Pond Hockey Classic 2014 is expected to be even bigger. There was two rinks side by side, next year the plan is to have a twelve team increase in the tournament and three rinks.