Shannon Coulter
The hockey community is unlike any other. In times of need, hockey families across the country have proved time and time again that they are ready and willing to help their communities.
When record-breaking rainfall hit southwestern British Columbia in November, several local hockey associations came together to support communities that were impacted by devastating flooding and landslides. Here are a few ways these associations and teams worked to help.
Summerland Minor Hockey Association
The Princeton Posse may be a long-time rival of the Summerland Jets, but that rivalry was set aside to put community first after the destructive flooding. When Summerland’s U9 team hosted the Posse, players, parents and staff organized a food drive to send some essential items back with the Posse’s families. Along with the food drive, the team made goody bags for each Princeton player that included packs of Pokemon and hockey cards.
Check out this article on the great work done by the Summerland U9 minor hockey team to help out their rivals from Princeton during these tough times 👏👏 https://t.co/JZ1Fbk323r
— BC Hockey (@BCHockey_Source) November 24, 2021
Greater Vernon Minor Hockey Association
After hosting the Merritt Centennials, the Vernon Junior Vipers’ U11 Development C team invited its opponents for a pizza dinner in a dressing room. Players from the Vipers helped to set up the dressing room before the game, hoping the small gesture would make the Centennials feel supported by other communities in B.C.
There was another act of kindness by the association when the Abbotsford Hawks, who were supposed to travel to Vernon for a tournament, had to cancel their travel plans due to the flooding. According to the GVMHA’s Facebook page, participants and spectators at the tournament worked together to raise $1,000 for the Hawks ahead of the holiday season.
Penticton Vees — British Columbia Hockey League
Following a weekend win in Trail, B.C., the BCHL’s Victoria Grizzlies travelled to Penticton for what was originally planned to be an overnight stay. However, with the historic storm, the team was stuck and unable to travel home.
With the unexpected extended stay, the Penticton Vees stepped up and gave the Grizzlies a dressing room and ice to practice on while they were in town.
"When the puck drops, we want to beat the other team, but we're partners and we wanted to make sure we made their stay as comfortable as possible," Vees president, head coach and general manager Fred Harbinson told CTV News.
The boys are headed home following a very extended weekend on the road due to highway conditions. Thank you @cityofpenticton for everything, the citizens, the @PentictonVees, @pentictonresort and all the local area businesses.#Community #Okanagan pic.twitter.com/crTsC6vhd7
— Victoria Grizzlies (@BCHLGrizzlies) November 17, 2021
Squamish Minor Hockey Association
After the Squamish Eagles U13 A2 team had a game against Chilliwack cancelled due to the storm, the players decided to run a food drive instead. The team gathered outside a local grocery store to encourage shoppers to help fill a hockey net with food to support the Fraser Valley flood victims.
With support from the Cloverdale Community Kitchen for distribution, the Eagles raised $530 and gathered several boxes of food for those affected in Chilliwack.
Squamish hockey team supports flood victims in Chilliwack https://t.co/a0IrZRLHhl
— Surrey Now-Leader (@SurreyNowLeader) November 29, 2021
Mission Minor Hockey Association
When the Mission Stars heard about the historic flooding, the association organized a “Fill the Trailer“ event. From non-perishable food items to things like blankets, winter jackets, socks and toiletries, the Stars ran the event for four hours at a community centre all to give back to communities affected by the storms.
Mission hockey trying to Fill The Trailer https://t.co/qYwSiejQ9U
— Mission City Record (@MissionRecord) November 27, 2021
Ridge Meadows Minor Hockey Association
The Ridge Meadows Minor Hockey U18 C1 team was preparing for a hockey tournament in Abbotsford when the flooding occurred. When the team saw the devastating impact in Abbotsford, it decided to donate $300 to the Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund to support Abbotsford hockey families and others affected by the flooding.
We are SUPER proud of our U18 C1 team for presenting a certificate of donation, to the Abbotsford Flood Relief Fund, to their @abbotsfordminor opponents during their last game. We are one #hockeyfamily #rustlerpride #rustlerrespect You can donate here: https://t.co/OGXpN2TNpF pic.twitter.com/Eu5ZbSJ2zj
— Ridge Meadows Hockey (@RustlersHockey) November 29, 2021
Cloverdale Minor Hockey Association
The Cloverdale Minor Hockey Association had previously planned a 50/50 draw for its U21 team in December. After the destructive storms in November, the association also wanted to use its fundraiser to support the flood relief efforts. Cloverdale announced that 25 per cent of the proceeds from its 50/50 draw would support victims of the flooding.
Our U21 50/50 has gone ONLINE! Prize will be drawn on Dec 22nd @ 6PM While our tournaments are important fundraisers for our Association, we also want to help the victims of the recent floods. So - 25% of the proceeds will be donated to flood relief! … https://t.co/0y1PmRjsc3 pic.twitter.com/OT7OJi6GfB
— Cloverdale MHA (@CloverdaleMHA) December 10, 2021
North Delta Minor Hockey Association
The North Delta Minor Hockey Association decided to organize an association-wide bottle drive to support the residents of Merritt, B.C., who were evacuated due to flooding. The idea was created and spearheaded by Tam Manery, who was inspired to run the drive when her son’s tournament in Merritt was cancelled.
Although the weather could have been better during the bottle drive, parents and players helped with picking up and sorting bottles. The association says there was a steady stream of bottles and generous cash donations, which will all go towards a great cause.
^^^ Thanks everyone! pic.twitter.com/5I2FdehEt3
— North Delta Hockey (@ndminorhockey) November 29, 2021
Thank you to these hockey teams, and to everyone who stepped up to help their surrounding communities in a time of need. Your positive impacts in your communities have inspired us all to make a difference.