When I was a little girl, I dreamed of hoisting the Stanley Cup over my shoulders. Skating around the community rink—the kind without boards that was flooded with hose water by the neighbourhood dads—pretending that I was in the NHL.
Did I play hockey? No. Truth is, I didn’t even own hockey skates. All of those Stanley Cups I “won” were on figure skates, with a broom as my stick and a chunk of ice as my puck.
There is something innately baked into Canadians and our love for hockey. Keep reading to see how a nationwide hockey tournament has contributed more than $28 million to over 60 charities across Canada.
Playing with purpose
The annual Hockey Helps The Homeless (HHTH) Pro-Am Series harnesses Canadians' love of the game by raising awareness and financial support to help Canadians secure a safe place to call home.
Former NHL player Curtis Glencross playing in Hockey Helps The Homeless tournament in 2022.
Each year, amateur hockey players are placed on teams with former pros who rally together to play in a one-day tournament dedicated to shutting out homelessness.
The Calgary connection
Michael Tseng has been associated with the tournament for 11 years now. He's the chair of the Calgary Chapter and has been incredible to work with.
Michael works full-time as a Regional Account Executive at Canada Life and contributes a ton of his own time every year to bring this tournament to life.
Michael Tseng and Gerrad Oishi, Habitat Southern Alberta President and CEO, at a Home Dedication event in 2018.
When you speak with Michael, along with the rest of the team, you get a clear impression that he’s genuinely invested in supporting community, and hockey is just a fun way to do it. “Hockey Helps the Homeless has opened my eyes to things I never would have imagined. A simple charity hockey tournament can change the life of an entire family."
"Our partnership with Habitat helps families in need. I’ll never forget attending my first Home Dedication ceremony where a little girl handed me a picture she drew of her family's new home and gave it to me as a gift. Along with it she said, 'Thank you for helping find my forever home.'"
Michael Tseng, Chair of Hockey Helps the Homeless Calgary Chapter
Putting the "Pro" in Pro-Am
Gord Sherven is a former Canadian professional hockey player. He played 97 games in the NHL, and competed with Team Canada in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary before taking his game internationally to play in Germany.
Former NHL player Gord Sherven participating in the HHTH tournament in 2023.
While we might not have an actual talent in common (seriously, figure skates and a broom), we do share our love of the game and the excitement of rallying the hockey community together to make a tangible impact.
“Events like this are so great to be part of to raise funds for such an important cause like housing. I have played in this tournament for years and it’s an honor to help rally the whole hockey community in Calgary to help those in need! One of my favorite days of the year! Looking forward to another great day of hockey on November 1st for an incredible charity!”
Gord Sherven, former NHL player
Former-pro Gord Sherven plays alongside his teammate at the 2023 tournament.
Hockey helps Habitat
Over the last decade, HHTH has contributed more than $500,000 to Habitat Southern Alberta, helping to build safe, stable, and affordable homes for local families. This incredible support has not only provided roofs over heads but has also empowered families to build brighter futures with the stability of homeownership.
Hockey Helps The Homeless organizers present a cheque for $57,500 from the 2023 tournament to Gerrad Oishi.
Be part of Hockey Helps The Homeless 2024
There is still time to register as a team (or an individual) to play in the 2024 tournament on Friday, November 1 at Winsport Arena. Please visit their website to get signed up!
Funds raised at the 2024 tournament will support:
