Each team in the tournament has an ex-NHL player or past Olympian on the roster, and it\u2019s become an opportunity to develop lasting connections.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt seems like a lot of people will continue to draft the same player; they start to build up a relationship with them. We have the regulars, like a PJ Stock,\u201d affirmed Kelahear. \u201cIt’s funny, sometimes it’s not the best players who people run on their teams, it’s who’s probably the best guy in the locker room. Guys just eat up those stories, whether it be from past Stanley Cups, or just life behind the scenes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Of course, spending some time with an ex-NHLer is a perk for participants, but tournament organizers also make sure that participants keep the focus on why they\u2019re really there.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat’s really important for us is to connect it back to the charities we support,\u201d outlined Kelahear. \u201cDuring the day, the charities come into the rooms and they present the projects that we funded in the past. So, when you’re sitting in the room, you’ll get a couple visits during the day just to see exactly where all the money is going.\u201d<\/p>\n
And what a sum of money it is. Kelahear says that the 2026 edition of the tournament will once again raise over $1 million, and he takes a lot of pride in the fact that costs are low. This ensures that as much money as possible is handed over to local charities, including Dans La Rue, Share the Warmth, and Chez Doris, among others.<\/p>\n
For fans who want to contribute but who won’t be hitting the ice, there are a couple of ways to do so: donate directly<\/a> to the tournament, or bid on items<\/a> in the silent auction.<\/p>\n