4 Nations Face-Off: fundraiser to help make hockey more accessible to Quebec youth

A day before the 4 Nations Face-Off – an international hockey tournament – gets underway at Montreal’s Bell Centre, Rogers, the parent company of CityNews and partner of Canada’s team, joined forces with the NHL and NHLPA to help make hockey more accessible in Quebec.

On Tuesday, they launched a 50/50 raffle, the proceeds of which will benefit Sun Youth, a Montreal-based organization dedicated to supporting children and families in need, and their hockey development program. Sun Youth’s Hockey Development program is an initiative that seeks to remove financial barriers experienced by local youth to playing hockey.

“They help to put kids who wouldn’t have the benefits to be able to play on a team, to play in a hockey program, so they’ll be the recipients of that money, the 50-50, presented by Rogers. So it’s quite exciting,” said Édith Cloutier, Regional President for Quebec, Rogers.

“It’s exciting to be part of this partnership with Rogers, and we can’t wait to see how this is going to affect our hockey program. It’s going to be a tremendous boost to it,” said Guinness Rider, Director of Community Services and Sports, Sun Youth.

While half of the funds will be donated to Sun Youth, the other half will be given away as a jackpot to a single winner by the end of the tournament.

The three parties contributed the first $50,000 of the jackpot and encouraged Quebec fans to rally behind the fundraiser to help break down financial barriers to hockey.

This initiative shows how hockey is much more than just a sport.

“Hockey is a little more than a sport in Canada, “Rider said. “It is a national pastime, and it’s part of our culture. Our program is based on integration and offering kids who otherwise might not get the chance to participate the opportunity to play and try it out. And the big benefit of the 50-50, of course, is we’re going to be able to equip and expand our program and offer it to even more children.”

“We believe at Rogers that sports can make a big difference in the community. So it’s the pride of the community as well. And what about this? Like the 4 Nations and being the sponsor of Team Canada? I think it’s all a good thing that comes together. So we’re quite proud of that,” said Cloutier.

As part of the fundraiser launch, a modified street-legal Zamboni paraded down Montreal streets with children from Sun Youth and Marie-Philip Poulin, captain of the Montréal Victoire and three-time Olympic gold medalist.

“We just went for a little tour on Sainte-Catherine, just trying to get people excited for the 4 Nations starting on Wednesday. So it was just fun. It was freezing, but we had a lot of fun,” said Poulin.

“It’s always fun. When you’re part of such a great cause here with Rogers, trying to raise money for great causes. So it’s great. There’s nothing better than helping people by raising money,” she added.

“It’s more than a game. Honestly, it’s a connection and bringing people together. It’s huge. And honestly, being able to help families that need help, to make them maybe try hockey when they’re young, that goes a long way. You can find that passion in that sense.”

Montreal Canadiens goalkeeper Sam Montembeault was also a special guest.

“I’m excited to be here with Rogers, you know, doing this for the 4 Nations. It’s always fun to give back to the community. Being from Montreal, just living two hours from here, it’s fun to be here. I remember when I was in their shoes and got to meet some of my favorite players; it was always a special moment. So I’m happy to give back,” said Montembeault.

During the 4 Nations Face-Off, Rogers will also provide Sun Youth participants with access to a skills clinic on NHL ice and a chance to interact with their favorite Canadian players.

Sun Youth, a 65-year-old community organization offering essential services to youth and families, says teaming up with the three parties will allow them to continue supporting their mission of providing opportunities for young people to engage in sports.

The organization’s hockey development program introduces children between 5 and 11 years old, from newly-arrived or low-income families, to the fundamentals of the sport. Sun Youth participants learn the ins and outs of skating and teamwork, making the sport more accessible.

“It’s our mission to ensure that every kid has the best experience possible at Sun Youth. By offering them more hockey spots, better equipment, and more ice time, it’s a very exciting and satisfying feeling to know that we won’t be bound by whatever limitations we faced before,” said Rider.

Raffle tickets can be purchased from Feb. 11-15 by anyone aged 18 and over who is physically in Quebec.

Tickets can be purchased online or in-arena by fans attending any of the games, with the winning ticket to be announced at the end of the USA-Canada game on Saturday.

“Go get some tickets,” Rider said. “Help out, and every person who contributes in any way to Sun Youth and our mission, it’s really for the kids.”

“We’ll be cheering for Canada’s team. And as I say, what a great event. We’re very proud. Rogers is proud to be part of it in Montreal,” added Cloutier.

– Rogers is the parent company of CityNews and partner of Canada’s team in the 4 Nations Face-Off