The 2017 Kimmett Cup is still a couple of months away, but it’s already breaking records – with more teams taking part than ever before and the addition of Sunday activities to its already-successful pond hockey tournament.
“There’s still lots of work being done, but for the first time, the Kimmett Cup will have a two-and-a-half day component,” said co-founder Jason Baserman. “That’s new for us.”
The outdoor three-on-three series – played every year on Mitford Pond – was created in honour of Lindsay Kimmett, a hockey player and medical student who died in 2008. More than $1 million has been raised and shared with the community since the event began in 2009.
This year, Baserman said the Kimmett Cup has already signed on 52 teams, which makes it a sell-out and matches the previous highest number of participants from last year. With the addition of a possible kids’ tournament on Sunday, that number will rise to a record-breaking level.
The ninth annual Kimmett Cup also coincides this year with a visit from Rogers Hometown Hockey – a wildly popular cross-Canada festival hosted by sports legend Ron McLean and musician Tara Slone. The two-day event brings with it NHL alumni, family-friendly activities, musical acts – and a live national broadcast from Cochrane during an NHL game broadcast.
Baserman said the two events complement each other in a wonderful way.
“The Kimmett Cup will likely become a story or a feature during their weekend broadcast,” he said. “We’re just very excited to be a part of that.”
Another record organizers hope to break is their own five-year goal to raise $500,000 in five years for the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada.
The hockey tournament has an intimate relationship with the organization and wish kids are a big part of the experience every year.
“That’s what makes the tournament so unique,” he said, adding teams from Children’s Hospital include cancer survivors and kids who endured heart surgeries in their first few months of life. “Now, here they are, skating. That’s what it’s all about.”
With the generosity of the community so far, Baserman said it’s expected the Kimmett Cup could reach the $500,000 target this season – a full 12 months ahead of schedule.
“We’re just shy of the $400,000 mark – it’s possible we’ll get there in four (years),” he said. “What we’re excited for is to reach that milestone early.”
Finally, the group wants to bring in $20,000 for KidSport through a major raffle. Top prize this year is a $5,000 trip for two anywhere in North America and two lower bowl seats to a concert or sporting event of the winner’s choice.
Baserman is proud the annual hockey event continues to flourish and carry on the legacy of his friend Lindsay.
“It’s grown so far beyond hockey,” he said. “It’s really become a community first event in my mind. That’s a testament to Lindsay and her family – we’re just incredibly grateful to be part of this.”
Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor or volunteer for Kimmett Cup 9 can connect at kimmettcup.com, on the group’s Facebook page or by writing to [email protected].
While registration is full, teams can still get on a waiting list for the tournament.
