Tournament scores big time for needy kids
With a few emails, Devin Smith expects to give at least 28 children a gift on Christmas Day through a simple hockey tournament.
“Making fair teams is probably the biggest challenge,” laughed Smith, who’s corralled 50 friends, colleagues and some skaters from his Oakville beer league hockey team to play and pitch in.
It helps that Smith works for the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) and knows a few players. But this tournament — separate from his work at the NHLPA — can be done at any level.
“I would encourage minor hockey teams to get together,” Smith said. “There’s a lot of guys who are on different beer league teams who get together. . . . You send out an email and you’d be surprised who plays, and who wants to play but maybe doesn’t get the chance to play.”
Money raised from the tournament is headed to the Star’s Santa Claus Fund which has been sending holiday gift boxes to needy kids in the GTA since 1906. This year, $1.6 million is required to provide a Christmas to 45,000 kids.
For Smith, this is double-duty charity work. He’s the chairman of the NHLPA’s Goals & Dreams Fund, which donates equipment and gives grants so kids can have the opportunity to play hockey.
“In my day job we help thousands of kids play hockey each year,” Smith said. “But this particular event is separate from what I do nine-to-five. Most of the guys, obviously they’re in good positions with wives and families and Christmas comes every year. It makes you feel good that you can give back and help someone else who needs it more than we do.”
The format is simple: 50 skaters on two sheets of ice for two hours with a small silent auction of donated prizes. Smith expects to raise roughly $1,000 at the Nov. 12 event in Oakville. If you have been touched by the Santa Claus Fund or have a story to tell, please email santaclausfund@thestar.ca.