Teams pull together to support player's grandma with ALS

The battle on the ice Friday night between two U11 AAA teams was also played together in support of a longtime Barrie resident recently diagnosed with ALS.

The Barrie Colts and the Richmond Hill Coyotes faced off at the Peggy Hill Community Centre.

The teams wore purple ribbon stickers on their helmets and had their sticks taped with purple in recognition of one of the Coyotes player’s grandmother, Colleen Campbell.

Campbell, a resident of Barrie, was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, in July.

Campbell spoke to BarrieToday Friday morning about how proud she was of her 10-year-old grandson, Caden, his teammates on the Coyotes, and the Barrie Colts.

“This is just so absolutely heartwarming and my heart is so full knowing that they are doing this to bring the awareness needed to this terrible disease,” said Campbell. “These kids are 10 and are hockey rivals, but they’re putting that aside for something much bigger, and that’s wonderful.”

Her son, Carey Campbell, said he was also proud of his son, Caden, and his wife, Jamie, who initially had the idea of taping the Coyotes’ sticks purple.

From there, team coaches got involved.

“Our coach reached out to the Barrie coach to see if they would also use the sticker and purple tape, and they were all over it. It’s so great to see everyone come together,” said Carey.

“An event like tonight, with these young kids putting aside the game for something bigger — it’s very inspiring.”

In August, Toronto Maple Leafs legend Börje Salming announced he had ALS and, on Nov. 24, the Hall of Fame defenceman succumbed to the disease.

Carey said, while tragic, the death of Salming is likely to bring much-needed awareness to ALS.

“It has brought it to the forefront here in Canada, and it spiked some awareness, for sure, especially within the hockey community,” said Carey. “That bond in the hockey community, and what kids learn at an early age that they take with them, is like nothing else.”

Despite being her grandson’s biggest fan, Campbell hasn’t been able to see Caden play this season, due to her diagnosis and the challenges the disease brings.

Having the game this close to home, Campbell wouldn’t miss it.

“I will be there, for sure. I won’t miss this. I am looking so forward to seeing them all play,” said Campbell. “There is a real good future here with these kids.”