YMCA calls for corporate teams, individual registrations ahead of first-ever Hockey Helps the Homeless tournament in Hamilton-Burlington
13-02-2025
The YMCA wants you to lace up your skates in support of programs that prevent homelessness.
A former Toronto Maple Leaf and a former Calgary Flame were on hand at the Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA this week ahead of their participation in a charity hockey tournament that is raising money for the YMCA.
Jeremy Williams and Zac Rinaldo joined YMCA officials to learn more about the programs that will benefit from the first-ever Hockey Helps the Homeless (HHTH) tournament to take place in Hamilton-Burlington.
“I’ve done some of the tournaments, but nothing local,” says Williams, a former Toronto Maple Leaf and New York Ranger.
“It’s a great time. It’s a really good way to give back and know that the money is staying in the community.”
Rinaldo says he feels lucky to be able to give back to his hometown.
“This is part of who I am. I always wanted to be in the NHL, and I always wanted to give back to the community I grew up in. So, to be able to do this is an honour, I love doing this stuff.”
The tournament takes place on Friday, April 11, 2025, at the Mohawk 4 Ice Centre. The YMCA is looking for corporate teams and individuals to join and raise money in support of YMCA programs that prevent homelessness.
“In return you get treated like pros for the day,” says Emma Langlois, Seniors Business Development Manager with HHTH. “We call it our pro-experience. Volunteers meet you at the doors and bring your bags to your fully set-up locker stalls.”
Before the actual tournament, Langlois says every single team gets to draft a retired NHL player or women’s professional player to their team.
“It really is the full professional hockey experience.”
While at the YMCA, the former NHLers toured the third floor of the Men’s Residence, which is nearing its final phases of construction following a fire that tore through that floor back in July.
“We’re going to be using some of the funds raised to support the reopening of the third floor in addition to providing the wrap around support services, and mental health and addiction supports needed to ensure people can maintain housing,” says Genevieve Hladysh, VP of Health, Fitness and Aquatics & Men’s Residence.
“This is a critical service to ensure these men can avoid homelessness.”
When it comes to the Youth in Transition program, the money raised will support young people as they develop and implement a plan for themselves and their future. This could include things like getting legal documents, finding a place to stay, finding full or part-time work, and learning life skills like cooking and cleaning.
“There are so many capable young people who just need the support and guidance to ignite their potential. The funds raised through Hockey Helps the Homeless will mean a young person can afford a meal to fuel them for the day, or they can afford the bus ticket to get their part time job—or that they have the money they need replace their ID,” says Lily Lumsden, VP of Employment, Immigration, and Youth Services.
Following the tour, Williams and Rinaldo made their way to a YMCA gym to play a friendly game of floor hockey with YMCA staff.
“There’s a great hockey community in Hamilton and Burlington,” says Williams.
“I think it’s important for people to come out and support their local charity. It’ll be a lot of fun; you get to meet a lot of cool people and enjoy the day like a pro.”
Rinaldo says it’ll be a great time and is encouraging local players to sign up. Although he says you may want to be sure he’s on your team and not the other way around.
“Absolutely register! Come play against me, but you might have to think twice before coming at me.”
#IgnitePotenteial #ShineOn #TheYSavesLives #HHTH
Learn more at hockeyhelpsthehomeless.com or click the button to register or join a team!
Team registration closes on February 28; individuals can register until early April.
