ESTEVAN — Young hockey players in the Estevan area jump-started their season by playing a game for charity.
The inaugural IG Cup, sponsored by Investors Group, was held Sept. 20 at the Power Dodge Arena. Thirty-two players in the under-nine age group participated, including four goalies. Team Yellow defeated Team Black 12-11 in what organizer Anthony Melle called a “very competitive game”, and the winning team even received a trophy.
Many of the athletes were from Estevan, but players came from other southeast communities.
Their efforts raised $800 for the Estevan Minor Hockey Association; that money will be directed to families that need assistance with paying league fees. Another $500 was generated for the Estevan Community Wellness Committee, which has been working hard to promote togetherness and mental health awareness.
Melle noted the day started with ice time that was sponsored by parents and others in the community. Lunch was served, and then the players played their game.
“Even though the ice time was donated, the whole plan was to charge everybody a fee, and we were able to raise roughly $1,300,” said Melle.
The organizers of the IG Cup let the kids know what they were playing for, and reminded them how fortunate they are to have families that can afford to put them in hockey and other sports.
“It’s nice to give back a little bit when we can. It was a really good day and a really competitive game, and the calibre of hockey was really good for the U9 kids. Lots of kids from our 2017 and 2018 junior Bears program,” said Melle.
He hopes the IG Cup can return next year thanks to the success of this year’s game.
