Firefighter Chris Chyka still loves the good ol’ hockey game as much as he did when he was a kid.
“I’m 40 years old – I still get just as excited to go to the rink, play hockey, the camaraderie, the teasing …,” he said this week. “That all started when I was five, six, seven years old.”
Igniting that kind of lifelong passion for the game is the motivation behind an upcoming charity event that pits Chyka and his colleagues against a squad of former NHL players – all to raise money for hockey families who have fallen on hard times.
“We were all fortunate to play as kids, so we just want to pay it forward,” Chyka said.
Registration in the Cochrane Minor Hockey Association can run as high as $1,175 a year, depending on the level of play. CMHA operations co-ordinator Shelly Javorsky said 75 families applied for financial assistance this season – a jump of more than 50 per cent over last year.
“Some parents have four kids in hockey – you’re looking at $4,000,” she said. “We’ve become very sensitive to the economy and a lot of people without jobs right now.”
Firefighter Marlin Glaspey said that’s why the Cochrane Firefighters Community Foundation decided all the money raised at the Nov. 12 game will be earmarked to offset that cost.
“That’s a direct correlation to the economic downturn,” he said.
A $10 ticket will give fans a chance to see longtime LA Kings’ forward Charlie Simmer, Tony Stiles of the Calgary Flames, defensemen Mark Astley and Craig Levie, former Detroit Red Wings centre Dennis Polonich and more battle it out on the ice at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre against Cochrane’s firefighters and three high-level female players.
For those looking for a more VIP experience, a $250 ticket buys one of two remaining spots to actually play with the NHL team (or another to act as coach). It also includes a personalized Flames jersey, signed by the pros.
A family-friendly banquet – including a live auction of the NHLers’ game jerseys – will cap off the shinny-filled shindig.
“It’s really excited to me to see what we can put up against the pros,” said Chyka. “It’ll be interesting to see how we match up against them.”
To raise awareness of the large-scale charity event, the firefighters’ foundation is hosting a kick-off BBQ and ball hockey game this Sunday, Oct. 23 from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
Kids can bring their gloves, sticks and helmets to the Cochrane Fire Hall and play on the tarmac against some retired NHLers and firefighters – as well as grab a $5 lunch and tour the station.
Chyka said he and his colleagues are happy to be in a place where they can help families in need foster their children’s lifelong love of the game.
“If we can get some kids to play and enjoy the sport,” he said, “maybe when they’re 35 or 40, they’ll still be playing with their buddies.”
Those interested in coming on board as a corporate sponsor of the NHL Alumni Game or want to donate silent auction items can contact Marlin Glaspey at [email protected].
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