Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre was alight with former NHL stars on Dec. 18 as St. Timothy High School hosted its annual teacher versus student hockey game.
The game, which raised money for the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre was played in front of a boisterous crowd, which saw the teachers (along with ex-NHLers Sheldon Kennedy, Colin Forbes, and Curtis Glencross) edge the students 12-10 in a close encounter.
“This is the third we’ve done the staff and student game, and the second year we’ve partnered with the Sheldon Kennedy Centre,” said event organizer Kevin MacLellan.
“We’ve just been trying to grow the event every year and get more publicity with the papers, and getting more ex-players like Forbes and Glencross out.
“It’s an awesome opportunity for our school to support a fantastic organization, and what better way to kick off the holiday season?”
The Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre works together with numerous organizations and communities to help children and families who are or have been impacted by abuse.
It’s a cause that MacLellan says was easy for St. Tim’s to get behind.
“With the hockey program we wanted to support something that was hockey-based,” MacLellan said.
“The number of youth that are touched by abuse and the work that the centre provides in helping them to cope is crazy. What better charity to support than something that is pretty local and hits very close to home.”
Last year, St. Tim’s raised $2,000 for the organization, and this year, MacLellan expects the number to be around the same.
“So far this year, we’ve raised around $700 to $800,” he said.
“Will probably end up with around the same amount as last year, but we’re always looking to get more.”
What does the future hold for the event?
“We haven’t planned anything for next year, but it will probably be similar,” MacLellan said.
“It will probably be similar to what we’ve put on before, but we’ll see what areas we can build on.
“We’re always looking to make things bigger and better.”
