Kings host Hockey Fights Cancer night

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Agra Risk Wheatland Kings hosted their second annual Hockey Fights Cancer Night in collaboration with the Canadian Cancer Society on Oct. 25. 

Squaring off against the Cochrane Generals, the event was organized in addition to the regularly scheduled league game. While on the ice, the Kings sported pink skate laces for the evening to showcase their support for the cause.

“Through their partners at the National Hockey League and their Hockey Fights Cancer brand they have developed, they have actually given us access to those things in order to raise money for the Cancer Society,” said Cody Holdaway, general manager of the Agra Risk Wheatland Kings. “There were a couple of fun things going on at the game … Strathmore is a hockey town so I’m sure everyone has seen the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative and those who went to the game got a little purple card that says who they were fighting for.”

Holdaway explained attendees were encouraged to share their stories on the issued cards. Holdaway, as well as several Kings staff have had family members afflicted by cancer, which became part of the team’s motivation to host a Hockey Fights Cancer night. 

The team joined the initiative last year; as Holdaway explained, they were on the bus coming home from Coaldale when the Canadian Cancer Society reached out asking if the Kings had any desire to partner together in order to bring Hockey Fights Cancer to junior league hockey.

“It was kind of a no-brainer decision on the bus ride there. We said yes, we are all in, so just on that bus trip, we set up the link and I think by the next morning or right after the game we had raised over $2,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society,” said Holdaway. “We are donating a portion of the ticket sale revenue from the game to the Canadian Cancer Society, as well as half of the 50/50 will also go directly to the Canadian Cancer Society. In addition, we have set up a link for fans, friends and family – anyone can just go online to donate directly.”

This year, as there was more time than previously to prepare for the event, the Kings introduced the official purple cards for fans to write on; a donation jar was present at the admissions desk, the 50/50 became part of the donations, and in addition to their pink laces, the team sported official Hockey Fights Cancer lavender hockey tape for their equipment.

Though no specific goal was set to be raised throughout the evening, Holdaway said he hoped to see over $1,000 raised in support of the Canadian Cancer Society.