Steve Lorentz was among the more than 120 players participating in Sunday’s annual Braestone Winter Classic in Coldwater to raise funds for the Hudson Regional Cancer Program at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH).
The tournament was in its fourth year and was originally co-founded by Ted Markle, whose brother, Jeff, died of cancer.
“Cancer has touched so many people,” said Markle. “[Jeff] had a passion for the game. He would be the life of the party.”
Jeff is also the father of Lorentz’ fiancé, Erin.
“It’s got a special place for us,” said the Leafs forward, of his involvement in the annual tournament. “Just bringing people together for the love of the game of hockey and doing it for a good cause; raising money for the cancer centre in Simcoe.”
Jamie Massie, one of the main fundraising partners of the tournament, confirmed that Sunday’s edition raised more than $150,000 for the Hudson Regional Cancer Program.
“It’s to raise money for the hospital, which is central to all of our lives,” said Massie. “RVH has been there, and the cancer centre supports so many people. So we are very proud to support it.”
Massie says the $150,000 raised puts he and his fellow fundraisers at more than $600,000 raised for RVH, making them that much closer to their ultimate $1 million goal.
“This event is such a testament to the generosity of our community and just how important it is for everyone to rally together to bring cancer care closer to home,” said Ryan McLeod from the RVH Foundation. “To see everyone come out today on a very snowy day to enjoy the good old hockey game, it just means the world.”
Last year’s Braestone Winter Classic had to be converted from a pond hockey tournament to a road hockey tournament because of mild temperatures and subsequent lack of ice.
Despite the opposite extreme being true with this weekend’s heavy snowstorm, the tournament’s organizers once again did not allow the conditions to stop them.
“I got pictures of [organizers] out here at 3 o’clock this morning trying to get the rinks ready and getting snow removed,” said Massie. “It embodies who we are. It’s what small-town Canada is.”
“Everybody showed up, the games have been great, the energy has been incredibly positive,” said Markle. “We’re proud Canadians and we love our game and we love playing it in the great outdoors.”
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