After a two-year void on the Cochrane calendar, one of the most anticipated events is back to bring people together in the spirit of remembering Lindsay Leigh Kimmett, having fun on the ice, and raising funds for worthy causes.
The 13th edition of the Kimmett Cup three-on-three hockey tournament starts Friday night at Mitford Pond in support of the Lindsay Leigh Kimmett Foundation. It continues on Saturday at both the pond and SLS Family Sports Centre. Currently, 24 teams are expected to participate.
Reid Kimmett, of the organizing committee, says it's a chance to park the controversy and division caused by the pandemic and have a little fun.
"I think everyone's just looking for a day of doing good for others and a day of creating good memories and having fun with friends and family."
Unfortunately, the Saturday evening banquet won't be held this year, but there are three major ways to contribute.
In partnership with CochraneNow, there's an online auction that's live now and runs until Sunday evening. There's a donation page for Make-A-Wish. Also, in support of the Children's Cottage Society, there's an online raffle for a trip for two to any major sporting event in North America. You can find details on all three here.
According to the forecast, the weather will be perfect. It rained and was 12 above in 2020. The year before, it was minus 30.
"We're happy to get something falling in between this year. That's certainly going to make for better hockey and a happy fun day outside."
They welcome people to spectate.
"People are free to come down and check it out and see the spirit of the event, and hopefully they'll become fans, future participants, and future supporters as we head into a normal year in 2023."
Those attending games at the SLS Family Sports Centre are subject to the rules of the restrictions exemption program.
The tournament has seen participants of all ages, from one (Reid's son) to over 80 years.
"Overall, we want it to be an inclusive event, whether that's age, gender, or the location people are coming from. We just want people who want to be a part of something greater than themselves and for benefit of others to have the opportunity to do that."
Since its creation, the Lindsay Leigh Kimmett Foundation has raised over $3 million to support countless causes.
In recent years, the Kimmett Cup has been supporting the Children's Wish Foundation, which has now merged with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Its contribution is closing in $1 million and has helped to grant the wishes of 89 children.
Kimmett says in a time when the need is highest, charities are having difficulty raising funds because of the challenges being faced by many.
"So we're hoping, for one weekend anyway, to try and fill that need for Make-A-Wish and hopefully grant approximately10 wishes in doing so."
Kimmett thanks those who have been generous with their time and financial support over the years.
"This tournament has been healing for our family since Lindsay passed away, and it's been humbling to look back and see everything that's happened over the last 14 years. We're looking to build on to that, and it's all thanks to the support we've received that it's where it is today."
Schedule for this year's Kimmett Cup.
Sun, May 5, 10:00 AM
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