On January 16^th the Cole Harbour Atom AAA Team may have made the best use of ice this year, and we had our biggest victory.  We had a 2 hour practice planned, but on Thursday morning the decision was made to turn it in to a 3 on 3 tournament for the team, but more importantly turn it into a fundraiser for Haiti Earthquake relief.

The idea was that players could ask family and friends to donate $1 per goal they scored, this quickly blew up into many different deals being made from near and far.  The sponsor sheets were quickly filled in less than 36hrs, and it was noted that many of the players were donating their own money.  In the end, 101 goals were scored over 21 games, close to $2,000 was raised.  As the players have begun collecting their sponsorship money they are finding that people are increasing their donations, so the total continues to grow.  This donation is being matched by GE Canada, and then that is matched by the Cdn Government, which means the team is delivering over $8,000 to the relief efforts in Haiti!! The article was featured on CBC news this evening (Jan. 18).

This effort took many volunteers on ice, working the clock, playing music, and in the stands taking donations.  Little Ceaser’s Pizza supported the cause and provided prizes to the players.   There were also some players from other teams who came out to help us get the numbers we needed, Jacob Benoit, Max Walford, Evan Noel, Keaton Brown, and Cooper Emin.

The fact that playing minor hockey not only promotes exercise, but provides life lessons, was more than evident by this event.  The team talked about this idea Thursday evening as a group, and the fact that a father of one of their teammates left that morning on a Navy ship headed for Haiti, likely gone for over a month, seem to strike a cord with them.  I said we can't all be heroes and jump on a ship to go there to help, but there is something we can do from here.  I am sure the players will not remember the teams record months from now, but for years might remember this as a highlight in their minor hockey career.

As the coach I can’t say enough about how proud I am of these players and the support of their families.

Brad MacLeod