The Medicine Hat South East Athletic Club U17AAA Tigers held an annual cancer awareness game on Sunday at the Kinplex, raising $11,866.73 to be donated to the Margery E. Yuill Cancer Centre.--PHOTO COURTESY MEGAN ALLAN
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The Medicine Hat South East Athletic Club U17AAA Tigers may have lost a game Sunday but they did their part in the battle against cancer.
The Tigers raised $11,866.73 during their cancer awareness game Sunday at the Kinplex against the Lethbridge Hurricanes. While Medicine Hat lost 7-6 to their Highway rival, SEAC picked up the win off the ice as they nearly doubled the $6,000 raised last year, with funds all being donated to the Margery E. Yuill Cancer Centre.
A large portion of the money raised will be used to help support local cancer patients with the costs associated with getting to treatment not offered in Medicine Hat.
SEAC head coach Kevin Riehl says the total raised and the near 400 fans in attendance showcases the community’s passion to give back.
“It goes to show exactly what kind of community we have, that’s the message we try sending out every year when we’ve done this, every little bit helps,” Riehl said. “This year was just fantastic to see everybody get behind it and raise that much money for the Margery E. Yuill Cancer Centre; it’s something our community needs.
“I’m so glad that everybody just chipped in and did their thing. It was an awesome job by the players from both teams, and also from the parent group who were outstanding.”
Before puck drop the two teams gathered at centre ice to honour those affected by cancer, and recognized three individuals who have recently battled or are in a current fight against cancer.
SEAC Tigers’ goalie Carson Jerome, a parent of a former SEAC Tigers player Danae Collier and an uncle of current SEAC Tiger Denny Seibel were all honoured ahead of the game.
Jerome underwent seven weeks of treatment for mouth cancer in Calgary over the summer. He spoke with the News when the SEAC Tigers toured the Margery E. Yuill Cancer Centre on Oct. 24 ahead of the fundraiser game. He looked forward to the idea of starting in the game and raising whatever amount they could.
“It means a lot, definitely for a personal cause as well, but also, like, helping everyone else out,” Jerome said. He made 22 saves in the game Sunday.
The game, originally scheduled to be held at the Hockey Hounds Arena, was moved to the Kinplex due to rising support and expected attendance. Fundraising efforts included raffles, a silent auction, team-made caramel popcorn sales, plus 50/50 and sponsorship donations. Riehl says he’s proud to be associated with a group of players and parents who put in an effort like that.
“From my old playing days here to now, I’m trying to keep it going as a coach, to relay that message to my players, this is something that you should always be a part of,” Riehl said. “Hopefully they’ll continue to do that when I’m out of the coaching business. It’s something that I’m very proud of that we can be associated with that.”
This year’s game marked the ninth season Riehl has organized a cancer awareness game at the helm. Each year they’ve had the goal of improving upon the previous game’s total.
Riehl confirmed they will continue the tradition next season and says they won’t look to reach a certain mark but simply ensure they do their best – the same values they carry on the ice.
“Every little bit is as well warranted and useful but the bar has been set now and hopefully we can just always keep getting bigger and better,” Riehl said. “Maybe we’ll have to think of something else to add to the plate for that day, to celebrate and try to raise a little bit more money.”
He thanks those who attended the game and those who supported fundraising efforts.
“One thing that I’ve learned about the city of Medicine Hat and the surrounding areas, anytime we’ve asked for a little bit of something to support local, everybody’s dug deep, and it just shows what kind of great community Medicine Hat is,” Riehl said.
