Glory days revisited at Linden Cup

By Ryan McCracken on November 26, 2018.

rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com  @MHNMcCracken

The Tigers hoisted the Linden Cup with a 7-4 victory over the Canucks on Saturday evening at the Family Leisure Centre — capping off an action-packed day of drumming up donations for the Medicine Hat and District Food Bank and KidSport Medicine Hat and Redcliff.

Linden Cup Christmas Classic head organizer and Canucks captain Keith Gronning says they managed to pull $9,000 in donations heading into the event and they expect that number to push well into the double digits when the counting is done.

“It was good. There was lots of traffic through here,” said Gronning. “It’s a little earlier than we normally do it, but overall I think the day went well. The number we raised is just a number, what matters is that we raised something.

“It’s about getting the community together and doing something good for it.”

Leading into the weekend, Gronning said Saturday’s fifth annual Linden Cup Christmas Classic could be last as he plans on stepping away from his role next year, but it seems the event could have a new future in store with KidSport potentially stepping up to take the reins.

“Right now it’s actually not looking like it will be our last year,” said Gronning. “Whether it will be will be Linden Cup itself is to be determined, but that will be the future. (KidSport) is very proud of what we’ve done and we’re proud of ourselves for what we can do for them.”

Gronning added the community support has been overwhelming over the past few years, which helped created a hit community holiday fundraiser while allowing a way for Gronning and his friends to re-live their glory days.

“It’s 20-some players who are pretty washed up, and this is the closest thing we get to a crowd anymore … It’s always humbling that the community backs us so much,” he said. “It’s always good to get together with friends and do something good for the community. With everything that goes on in the world, I’m glad we can give back and bring a positive light.”

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