Orangeville Tigers show support for Tori with purple tape
Moved by the Purple in the Rink fundraiser held Saturday at the Evinrude Centre, Ashley McLaughlin of the Orangeville Bantam BB Tigers approached her coach and teammates about how they might extend their support.
Before moving to Orangeville with her family two years ago, McLaughlin played hockey with Tori Sotiriadis, a local athlete who is now battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
During a recent game against the North Halton Twisters, the Tigers collectively taped their stick blades purple in tribute to Tori and the Purple in the Rink fundraiser organized by the Peterborough Bantam BB Ice Kats. The team has decided to keep the purple tape for the duration of the season.
In support of their teammate, Ice Kats organized the day-long fundraiser after head coach Tim Osborne and manager Dara Gosselin proposed the idea and were met with overwhelming support from the community and Peterborough Girls Hockey Association colleagues.
Through raffle draws and activities, tfunds were raised to help the Sotiriadis family cover costs associated with Tori’s treatments in Toronto. A series of Ice Kats games were played throughout the day from 12:15 to 9 p.m. followed by a tribute to Tori and a match between the BB Ice Kats and the Whitby Wolves.
Tori is currently in the fourth cycle of five chemotherapy treatments. Her prognosis is promising for a full recovery. The Orangeville Bantam BB Tigers have wrapped their sticks with purple tape in support of Tori Sotiriadis, a member of the Peterborough Bantam BB Ice Kats who is battling Hodgkin's lymphoma. Team members include (front) Hillary Vaughan. (Middle l-r) Alix Broughton, Katrina Kampen, Natalie Amose, Ashley McLaughlin, Abby Leck. (Back l-r) Evelyn Jones, Emma Lee Eagles, Cassidy Anyon, Blair (assistant coach), Brookelyn Greig, Kris Kampen (assistant coach), Emma Nelson, Larry Vaughan (coach), Rachel Doney, Sarah Bridges, Paige Bottrell, Ailsa MacDonald.