Saturday, February 16, 2019 ~ WEST SHORE.
~ West Shore Voice News
It was an upbeat charity game with the Montreal Canadiens Alumni teaming up against the Greater Victoria Firefighters hockey team.
The family-friendly event on Sunday February 10 at the Q Centre in Colwood was to support the Umbrella Society for Addictions and Mental Health in their efforts to raise funds toward the purchase of a second-stage recovery house that they currently operate on a rental basis in Victoria.
The Umbrella Society operates three recovery houses, two houses for men, and one for women. Each house offers a different level of support and programming, without time limit.
From Premier John Horgan dropping the puck, to the fun of mascots Marty and Grizz, it was a winning event. About 1,000 tickets were sold, though due to snowy weather about 600 fans showed up. Final score: 12 to 3 for the Canadiens.
The Victoria Grizzlies Junior A Hockey club was an event partner. VIP tickets included a meet-and-greet with the Canadiens, autographs, and lunch.
Career and volunteer firefighters from Langford, Saanich, Esquimalt, Victoria and DND fire departments played on the 15-player team. That roster included Brian Bell, Justin Ellis, and Jason Reimer (Langford); Matt Landry, Scott McMillan (Esquimalt); Brad Franklyn, Matt Northrup, Bart Taylor, Trevor Vanderwereld, and Ryan Wells (Saanich); Mike Beckner, Greg Spence and Frank Williams, (Victoria); and Rob Patterson and Paul Patterson (DND). Two firefighters from Victoria — Dustin Oliver and Oscar Pohl, and Saanich firefighters Dan McLaughlin and Carle Trepels took part in the pre-game ice ceremony. Colwood firefighters were invited to participate but time frames didn’t work out.
“We all play regularly in a league – some of these guys have junior hockey experience, high-level playing but that was years ago. We’re not doing that anymore,” said says Brian Bell, Maintenance Coordinator, Langford Fire Rescue.
“Premier Horgan is a big fan of the firefighters. He was out there supporting his community,” says Bell. “It was lots of fun. Like a Harlem Globe Trotters event.”
Other VIPs in attendance with BC Deputy Premier Carole James (whose son Evan James works with The Umbrella Society), Langford Mayor Stew Young, Grizzlies president Lance Black, Umbrella Society Executive Director Sharlene Law, and Umbrella Society staff.
www.umbrellasociety.ca
“There were many volunteers from the Fire Departments as well as the Umbrella Society and general public who worked extremely had to pull this all together and run a successful event,” said Bell.
This article was first published on page 6 in the February 8 & 15, 2019 Combo Weekend edition of West Shore Voice News. | Request archive copy