Hockey For Hospice tourney hits Essex County arenas for 28th year

Players from across Essex County hit local ice pads this weekend, aiming for high scores and even higher donations, for the 28th annual Hockey For Hospice fundraising tournament.

The three-day Hockey For Hospice tournament sees roughly 2,000 young players ranging from four to 14 years old descend on arenas across Essex County to face off to raise money for the Hospice of Windsor and Essex County.

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Originally conceived as a skate-a-thon by tournament founder Tim Beaulieu, Hockey For Hospice has grown to a full tournament. This year’s edition from Dec. 27 to 29 includes more than 100 teams and 250 hours of ice time spread across four different arenas.

Members of the Sun Parlour Hockey for Hospice under-15 orange and blue teams shake hands after their game on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024 at Tecumseh Arena during the annual Hockey for Hospice tournament. Photo by Dan Janisse /Windsor Star

Divisions include U7, U8, U8 MD, and U9 Jamboree, as well as U11, U13, and U15 boys divisions, and U11, and U13 girls divisions.

“This event has grown to more than hundred participating teams from U7 to U15 each year,” Katharen Bortolin, executive director of the Hospice of Windsor and Essex County, said in a statement.

“It is not only a high quality event, and a great way to spend the holidays, it also has such an immense impact on those we care for.”

The action takes place at Libro Credit Union Centre in Amherstburg, Essex Centre Sports Complex in Essex, Vollmer Culture and Recreation Complex in LaSalle, and Tecumseh Arena.

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All players raise pledges and awareness for the hospice. In the past 27 years, Hockey For Hospice has raised more than $5.2 million. Last year alone, the event raised a record-breaking $587,780.

For the complete game schedule, 50/50 raffle tickets or more information on the tournament, visit hockeyforhospice.com.

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