Special Hockey Day proclaimed for March 27 across Ontario
Legislature passes Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith’s Bill 53
Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith hopes Special Hockey Day will allow the rest of Ontario to experience some of what he did as organizer of the Special Hockey International (SHI) tournament in the city and be inspired to do more, like he was.
March 27, 2019 — the start of the 25th annual tournament in Toronto — has been proclaimed Special Hockey Day as part of private member’s Bill 53, which Smith moved to create shortly after he was elected in June.
“It’s a celebration of what each of these exceptional athletes do,” he told members of the Electric City Maroon and White and Kawartha Komets gathered in the Alumni Room at the Peterborough Memorial Centre for the announcement.
The day aims to bring awareness to special hockey organizations across the province — like the two in Peterborough — and celebrate those involved in the 2019 tournament.
Smith, who was also part of organizing Hockey Day in Peterborough activities in 2013, spoke about how this community rallied after fraud accusations faced by the founders of the then-called Peterborough Huskies nearly derailed the 2017 tournament.
“We stepped forward to make sure it happened. It was a fabulous experience for me,” he said, pointing out how more than 1,000 players on 58 teams from around the world took part purely for the love of the game.
“It truly is inspirational.” Smith said he reached out to his party’s 75-member caucus, as well as respective ministers of health, culture and accessibility, who each pledged support.
Then, Finance Minister Vic Fedeli promised to include it in the fall economic statement, speeding up a process that can take years.
The Maroon and White will take part in the Toronto tournament, but the more than $30,000 price tag was too much for the Komets, representatives said.
Maroon and White president and general manager Chris Williams praised Smith’s efforts, adding that it was genuine and what he said was not just lip service. “If it was any other politician … I wouldn’t be involved in it.”
The community is stronger because of the special needs teams, which provide “incredible” opportunities for their players, he said.
Komets executive director Mary Fisher called the proclamation “amazing” and highlighted the fact the team is nearing its 10th anniversary. “It’s been an incredible ride.”
The SHI tournament is sanctioned by the host team’s governing body, namely Hockey Canada, USA Hockey or another member of the International Ice Hockey Federation, but it is not a traditional tournament. Special hockey is non-contact and noncompetitive, meaning there are no elimination rounds and no one is crowned champion.
Special hockey is about striving to be better as a person, Smith said, adding how he wishes more coaches and others on the competitive side of the sport would embrace the “for the love of the game” values it embodies.
He invited them to come out and see the games. “It is a moving experience.”
NOTES: There are more than 70 organizations involved in special needs hockey in Ontario, with players with exceptionalities like Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and autism.… The host for the 2019 SHI tournament, which will take place at rinks across Toronto, is the Grandravine Special Hockey Team …. Visit www.specialhockeyinternational.org/ tournament for more information.