St. Patrick Street West was transformed into a multi-rink site last Friday for the all-day ball hockey tournament hosted by NHL players Jamie, Tye and Brock McGinn.
The goal of the tournament was to raise funds for the Centre Wellington branch of the youth services organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters.
RBC bank donated $60,000 ahead of the tournament in a show of support. Local businesses got on board and sponsored teams by contributing $750 each, while players themselves went door-to-door collecting pledges for the chance to play against NHL stars in the final.
It was later announced at the tournament that RBC’s contribution was more than matched by the collective effort.
“It’s the biggest donation we have ever had,” said Kristen Drexler, the executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters Centre Wellington.
The money, she explained, will go towards helping set up the Big Brothers Big Sisters’ new home in a portion of the old Target building off Highway 6. At the heart of the new space, other non-competing, like-minded organizations that typically run from offices in Guelph will be able to help serve youth in Centre Wellington.
Drexler explained the idea for the McGinn Brothers Big Game came from Allan Boynton, founder of Pro Sports Concierge, after he heard about the number of teen suicides that shook communities in Wellington County over recent years. Boynton, she said, reached out to her about using his connections with pro athletes to help raise money for the organization so it could provide more resources for the area.
“We can’t rely on our government to create this, the money is just not there. We as community services and families and people who are affected by this, we are coming together to make all of this happen for our youth,” Drexler said.
The tournament
Forty teams played in the tournament, each spilt into four divisions ranging from the under nines to the under 17 age group.
For the kids, the day was about celebrating a love of hockey with their idols. “It’s all about the kids having fun. Being able to come out, play hockey, meet the McGinn brothers and whoever else from the NHL, they are super excited about that,” said the coach of the U12, DW Custom Carpentry team, Derek Reinink.
From the 40 teams, 12 players were given the chance to face off against the NHL stars in the culminating ‘Big Game.’ Among them was Emmett Shaw for the U9 Brew House team who couldn’t wait.
“I am looking forward to versing them,” he said. “We’ve played two games and we won both.”
The big game
Twenty NHL players and pro Canadian athletes took part in the fundraiser, offering their time to meet with fans and play ball hockey with some of the local players participating in the tournament.
“It was an easy yes,” said Ryan O’Reilly, centerman for the St. Louis Blues. O’Reilly has been friends with Jamie McGinn, and the McGinn family, of Fergus, for years and enjoyed the opportunity to help with the event.
“It’s a beautiful place. It’s just nice have some fun and raise some money for a good cause,” he said.
It was also an easy decision for the McGinn family according to Brock McGinn, who currently plays left wing for the Carolina Hurricanes.
“Our family in general has always been trying to look at opportunities to give back to the community. When we got approached by [Allan Boynton] and the Big Brothers Big Sisters it was a no-brainer for us,” he said.
McGinn added that he was impressed by the turnout for the fundraiser. “Everybody deals with mental illness and anyway you can help out and give [kids] that positive attitude, it’s something you will appreciate as well as them,” McGinn said.
The McGinn brothers and other sponsors have already signed on to bring the Big Game back next year.
Click here to see more images.
