Meadowvale Minor Hockey’s Ice Puppy Program has long been one of the best places for children aged 4 to 6 to get their introduction to hockey but on Saturday March 2, it was the Coaches chance to show-off their skills.
The coaches squared-off in the 7th annual “Junior Coaches vs Senior Coaches” charity game in support of the (MHL) Mississauga Hockey League Play-More Program. Play-More provides financial assistance to Mississauga families who need the support so that their children can play hockey within the MHL. The game was the ‘sell-out’ main attraction with the Junior Coaches winning both the game, 7 -5, as well as the skills competition.
The player of the game was Kate DiMaria who was also the first woman ever to play in the charity game. Through donations, silent auctions and other fundraising activities at the game, Meadowvale Minor Hockey was able to raise over $11,000 to go towards the MHL Play-More Program.
According to Meadowvale Ice Puppy Director Niki Rohrer Beneteau, “It’s so good to see what our community can achieve when we focus on a worthy local cause. There were so many people and companies finding a way to help volunteer or donate and we could only reach our fundraising goal thanks to the efforts of all of them.” There was even a challenge issued by Coach Andrew Janeco to have his lengthy beard shaved off in the lobby of Meadowvale 4 Rinks after the game if the target of $10,000 could be surpassed. “Since Andrew issued the challenge, we just had to make sure we got that beard shaved beard off.” said Meadowvale Minor Hockey President Richard.
The annual charity game was part of the All Star Weekend where the focus returned to the players the next day as they completed their final game of the year and received awards for their season accomplishments.
Meadowvale Minor Hockey and the MHL wish to thank all of the many volunteers and all of the local community sponsors, especially Craftsman, who donated items for the silent auction as well as staffing a booth where they provided training for the safe use of power tools.
The Meadowvale Minor Hockey Association (MMHA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) is being held on Thursday June 9th, 7:30pm at the Mississauga Hockey League Office (3615 Laird Rd., Unit 14).
