The Cochrane Chaos female junior hockey team is hosting an outdoor memorial game on Jan. 20 to highlight the importance of mental health.
The game, which is in memory of Owen Moore, will be played in Springbank at the community’s outdoor arena against the visiting Calgary Titans. This will be the second year the team will be hosting the outdoor spectacle.
“This past summer, Owen committed suicide. Both of his sisters played for the team last season and I had coached them for several seasons previously in Calgary,” said Chaos head coach Derek Loomer.
“The family is very much connected to the Chaos and we felt this event would be a good way for the team to honour Owen and the Moore family while raising awareness of the mental health issues that we as a society are challenged with.”
Before being named in Moore’s memory the tournament was created as an effort to add a fun event to Chaos’ first season and bring awareness to the league..
“Greg Kozak and a few families on our team live in the Springbank area and Greg suggested we look into having an outdoor game, as the facility is a pretty good option due to the artificial ice and tented structure that alleviate any weather issues other than the cold.”
“We worked with the Lethbridge Eagles and the league to get it approved last season and the event was successful so we wanted to continue it this year.”
Aside from supporting the Moore family, those in attendance will also have the opportunity to donate to mental health awareness.
“The Moore’s have been very supportive of the event and asked us to share Owen’s final message, which is a powerful revelation of mental issues he was dealing with.
The Chaos head coach hopes families and fans of both teams will come show their support.
“The returning players are certainly excited to be part of this unique experience again and that excitement is spreading to the new players on the team,” Loomer said.
“Our opponents this year are the (Calgary) Titans so with Springbank being relatively close to both Cochrane and Calgary, we hope to have a lot of support out for both teams.
Fans should be prepared for a rustic event, and dress for the weather as it can be unpredictable. A lasagna dinner will be held after the game in the Springbank Arena Pub. Tickets for the dinner will be $20.
Puck drop is at 2 pm.
