Fourth annual Linden Cup a success
Annual hockey game allows for a good time while supporting two local organizations
It may look like any other hockey game, but the Linden Cup Christmas Classic is a lot more than just a game of Canada’s favourite pastime.
Running for its fourth consecutive year, the Linden Cup was able to raise between $24,00028,000 to be split between the Medicine Hat and District Food Bank and KidSport.
“This just started as a game between friends,” said one of the founders Keith Gronning. “Last year we were able to raise $17,000 for the food bank and 245 pounds of food. This year, while we’re not 100 per cent sure, we’re looking at between $24,00028,000. I’m not quite sure on how much food we’ll be at this year, but we’re really trying to push the cash donations — it just goes so much further for the food bank.”
Though the rosters change a little every year, Gronning says it will always be about playing a game with friends and helping out a good cause or two.
“We’re all buddies here,” he said. “That’s how it started and it’s how it always will be. Sometimes different guys can make it and others can’t because of the Christmas season, but it will always be friends.”
Aaron Sisson has played in four Linden Cups, and says he enjoys lacing up and helping out the cause.
“It’s all about getting together,” he said. “It helps even more than we can raise so much money and food. Any time we can support the community that you grew up in or your kids are growing up in, we’re going to do it — it’s also a great excuse to get a good game of hockey in before Christmas.”
The game had a special set of assistant coaches on each bench this year, with nine-yearolds Kennedy Sisson and Jackson Brassard helping out with the Canucks team.
“We thought it would be pretty fun to coach,” said Brassard.
“I think it will be fun,” said Kennedy. “We’re going to tell them to work hard and a lot of other stuff before the game starts.”
The Tigers won the game 156.