By Mark Squibb
The St. Kevin’s Mavericks and St. Kevin’s Mavericks Alumni All-Star Team are gearing up to hit the ice Friday, March 1, for the eighth-annual St. Kevin’s High Alumni Hockey Charity Classic.
“Right now, we’re gathering donations and reaching out to local community groups looking for their support,” said organizer Jason Snelgrove.
He said team rosters are being drawn up, and while a number of regulars play every year, each year new players are drafted as well.
As the event is now in it’s eighth year, players who played on the high school team in the early days are now looking for a spot on the adult team.
‘Which is really cool, to be honest,” said Snelgrove. “And so we try to get a few new people engaged every year.”
For the last number of years, the event has consistently raised over $6,000 for local community groups and families. All told, the event has raised over $37,000 since it’s inception.
Organizers commit a minimum of a $1,000 donation to the Curtis Hudson Memorial Fund each year. Last year, organizers donated about $2,600 to the fund, and about $5,300 to the Newfoundland and Labrador Down Syndrome Society, and will donate to both organizations again this year.
The organizers will also be donating to a family or cause within the Goulds.
“At the end of the day, we’re raising money for people or organizations or groups or families that need it,” said Snelgrove. “So, whether it’s $6,000 or $6,500 of $5,000, it’s going to a good place. Hopefully we can raise the most money yet, but at the end of the day, any money raised is a success.”
Last year, the high schoolers outscored the adults 9-4, but Snelgrove said this year’s game could be anyone’s contest.
“We’re looking forward to a good, competitive match,” he said.
Snelgrove said the opportunity to give back to the community makes the game worth the effort, and the event teaches young people they can make a difference in their community, even through something as simple as a hockey game.
He added that while donations are accepted at the door, there is no pressure to contribute if finances are tight.
“We want this event to be accessible to everybody,” said Snelgrove. ‘And so there’s no financial commitment at the door for a family that decides they want to come down and get out of the house and enjoy the hockey game.”
New this year, there will be a free general skate from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. ahead of the alumni game. Again, donations are accepted but not mandatory.
