Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation KidSport ambassador Brett Lauther has a passion for football as kicker for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, but anyone who knows him, knows he considered himself a hockey player long before he stepped onto the football field.
On March 18, players from the Saskatchewan Roughriders and NHL alumni hit the ice for the first ever Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation Winter Classic in support of KidSport Saskatchewan in Saskatoon at Merlis Belsher Place.
“Brett and the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation are such great supporters of KidSport and funds raised from this event help So TOUS Kids Can Play. We are incredibly lucky to have a KidSport ambassador who believes in what we do,” said Tammy Hoffart, KidSport Provincial Coordinator.
A total of $25,000 was raised for KidSport through the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation in this one-of-a-kind charity hockey game presented by BASF.
To mix things up, the game was played over four quarters instead of the regular three periods of a traditional hockey game. The Saskatchewan Roughriders game day announcers were on hand to pump up the crowd and Gainer the Gopher was in attendance just like you’d expect at a football game.
KidSport kid captains skated out Team Lauther and Team Bagg to the song Bring Em’ Out, while a KidSport kid ambassador participated in the puck drop along with BASF dignitaries. No game would be complete without two U7 Timbits teams facing off against each other during half time with the Saskatoon Minor Hockey Renegades taking on the Aces. Mark Johnson of Play 92.1 concluded half time by interviewing one of the U7 players on the fast-paced game.
There was plenty of fun in the kid’s zone with a mini hockey stick arena with sticks provided by SGI and football toss provided by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The Winter Classic ended with Cindy Fuchs, Sask Roughrider Foundation Executive Director, presenting the winning team, Team Lauther, with the Winter Classic Cup.
This was a great event for Rider Nation to be able to watch some of their favourite players on the ice instead of on the field. After the game, fans were invited to receive autographs and take selfies with their favourite Saskatchewan Roughrider players, alumni and NHL alumni.
“This is wonderful as we’re seeing KidSport applications submitted on a steady basis once again as kids are getting back into sport after the pandemic,” said Hoffart.
Thank you to the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation, BASF, Brett Lauther and the sponsors who made this great event happen to help out KidSport.
