First annual Rick Dykstra Ball Hockey Tournament will complement ice hockey game
ST. CATHARINES, Ont. — The top fundraising event for the United Way of St. Catharines and District is getting bigger and better.
Over the past two years, Hockey Night in St. Catharines has raised more than $255,000 for the local United Way by pitting Canadian MPs, a team captained by St. Catharines MP Rick Dykstra, against elite hockey players — retired and current NHLers, OHL players and local players from various pro and semi-pro leagues.
Before the teams take the ice at Jack Gatecliff Arena for Hockey Night in St. Catharines III on August 10, local businesses and residents are being invited to participate in the 1st Annual Rick Dykstra Ball Hockey Tournament, presented by ballhockey.com.
“Hockey Night in St. Catharines has quickly become an important part of the United Way campaign in St. Catharines,” says Dykstra. “We are excited to add this new element to the event that promises to be a lot of fun while helping out a very important cause in our community.”
The 3-on-3 tournament will be held at the new Niagara Regional Athletics Centre (formerly the St. Catharines Racquet and Athletics Club). Teams are permitted up to 12 players and are guaranteed three games in the daylong event.
Food and refreshments will be provided and a champion will be crowned.
“The United Way plays a critical role supporting those in need and helping build a better community,” says Frances Hallworth, Executive Director of the United Way of St. Catharines and District. “To get such amazing support from Hockey Night in St. Catharines and now the Rick Dykstra Ball Hockey Tournament is a huge boost to our annual campaign, ensuring we can help as many people in need as possible.”
Registration for the ball hockey tournament is $500 per team, with 100% of the funds going to the United Way. For more information or to register a team, please contact Mike Broley at mikeb@ballhockey.com or Brian Broley at brianb@ballhockey.com.
“The United Way is such an important piece of the fabric of our community,” says Brian Broley of ballhockey.com. “We have been proud supporters of Hockey Night in St. Catharines since the beginning, and are excited to help out even more with this ball hockey tournament.”
Follow Hockey Night in St. Catharines on Twitter @HNISC and join the conversation with the hashtag #HNISC3. For more information, please visit www.hockeynightinstcatharines.com.
About Hockey Night in St. Catharines III:
Hockey Night in St. Catharines III is a charity hockey game featuring Canadian MPs and elite hockey players that raises funds for the United Way of St. Catharines and District. Since the initial game in 2010, Hockey Night in St. Catharines has been named the United Way’s top fundraising event two years running, raising more than $255,000 for the umbrella charity group.
