The puck was dropped Wednesday evening on the eighth annual Mind to Muscle Cup and not only saw many familiar faces from local hockey circles, but also donated to the community who needs it most.
The charity hockey game, which took place at the Allandale Recreation Centre in Barrie's south end, pitted local players, as well as those who have come through the region, against each other to help raise money and food for the Barrie Food Bank and Sharing Place in Orillia.
Mind to Muscle, a Barrie-based strength and conditioning facility, organized the event and partnered with Purolator and the OHL's Barrie Colts, as well as the Barrie Colts AAA and North Central Predators hockey associations.
Domino’s Pizza also dropped off slices to be given away free to the approximately 200 fans in attendance.
Rick Schaly, who is the managing director at Mind to Muscle, says he's proud of the event because it gives back to the community.
“The community has been so good to Mind to Muscle and this is a fun way to say thank you,” said Schaly, who also served as a referee during the game. “Collecting food, raising money and putting on a free game for some hockey fans is a great night.”
How much was raised through the event has not been announced.
Schaly said most of the athletes playing in the event train locally and the Wednesday night gathering in particular turned into “high-intensity session" for fans and to raise some food.
Local players Matt Brassard, Lucas Chiodo, Jessie Eldridge, and others were joined by players who have played on the Barrie Colts or other local clubs.
Ben Hawerchuk played five years for the local OHL squad, under the coaching eye of his late father, Hockey Hall of Famer Dale Hawerchuk.
Hawerchuk says he enjoys supporting Mind to Muscle and the community he loved playing in.
“It's for a good cause and I work with the gym here," said the 25-year-old. "Rick Schaly is such a great guy and they do so much for people. It's fun to come out and be a part of it. It's fun to get back here and play with such great guys.”
While it was for a great cause, Hawerchuk admits the players on the ice like to shine both for themselves and the fans.
“These are all great players and we do like to compete, but all in the name of fun,” he said. “The people watching get to enjoy the game and so do we.”
Players in the event have played, or are still playing, in leagues such as the ECHL, NCAA, CIS, OHL, and the German Elite League
In Orillia, the North Central Predators organization will be collecting donations and dropping them off at Orillia Sports Medicine.
The Sharing Place Food Centre in Orillia is a community food centre supported by local residents, it plays a vital role in providing access to healthy food for women, men and children dealing with food insecurity.
