With aid from NHL legends, Hockey Helps the Homeless tournament aims for a new fundraising record

Credit: Courtesy of Hockey Helps the Homeless

Former Vancouver Canuck Kyle Wellwood is one of the pros taking part in the annual charity tourney

It’s not too late to donate to and volunteer for this charity event

Hockey Helps the Homeless Vancouver is back for its ninth charity tournament. Presented by Freedom 55 Financial, the contest takes place on Friday, November 24, at UBC’s Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre. In separate men’s and women’s tourneys, players from all over the Lower Mainland will lace up with National Hockey League alumni and other legends of the game to raise money for and awareness of the region’s growing number of homeless people.

Launched in Toronto in 1996, Hockey Helps the Homeless now holds annual events across the country. This year the committee has set its sights on beating the 2016 national fundraising record of more than $550,000. Net proceeds stay local to support organizations that shelter the homeless, including Covenant House, First United Church, the Salvation Army and the Urban Native Youth Association. These groups work hard to make sure that everyone in the Vancouver area has a place to call home.

Credit: Courtesy of Hockey Helps the Homeless

Hockey greats facing off at UBC include former Vancouver Canucks Dave Babych, Jyrki Lumme, Brad May, Kirk McLean and Kyle Wellwood; ex–Edmonton Oiler and six-time Stanley Cup winner Glenn Anderson; former Olympians Danielle Dube and Colleen Sostorics, a three-time gold medallist; and one-time national team member Cherie Piper. 

Games are free to watch, and there’s still an opportunity to donate and volunteer. For more information, contact Ewan French at ewan@hhth.com.