Cochrane's recreational hockey league, the Cochrane Cougars, are once again holding their annual fundraiser to help keep hockey costs down so all kids can have an opportunity to play if they desire.

Hosting their third annual Comedy fundraising event this Saturday evening (February 23), Cheryl Mckay, the Program Director for Cochrane Cougars, says they are hoping to pack the house. With good food included in the $30 ticket price, Mckay says they are looking forward to another night of great laughs and have lots planned for the evening show. "We will be serving pulled pork and an appetizer bar before our headliner, Scott Dumas, takes the stage. There will be two opening comics, Austin Lonnenberg and Linea Ward, some items up for auction, raffles, and a couple of fun games including a Gordie Howe challenge."

With the last two comedy fundraisers being successful, Mckay is hoping this one follows suit. 

Trying to surpass last year's fundraising total of $3000, Mckay shares the proceeds help offset costs associated with a growing league, making it affordable for all youth who desire to play. Although registration costs did go up last season to $425, Mckay says fundraising like this certainly helps. "We are trying to remove all the barriers that are keeping the kids from playing hockey, and some of those we are removing in a unique way. We want to keep the costs as low as we can, so everyone who wants to play can play."

With the league growing from 50 to 140 registered players over the past three years, there is certainly no shortage of kids wanting to lace up and face off. "We have the potential to grow a lot more over the coming years, but due to a lack of ice, we are having to turn kids away. That is another reason why we are also doing the fundraising because we have to seek out other ways of picking up more ice time so we can offer the program to more kids in the community."

While the Cochrane Cougars youth league is 'recreational', it should be known that the players are just as passionate and skilled as those playing in other leagues. Being a rec hockey club just gives them the advantage to offer programming in a different way, states Mckay. "We have the ability to offer unique incentives in our league like where sibling teams can travel together and kids that are playing Pee Wee this year are playing with the same kids from Tyke along with the same coaches, so it really adds to that extended family feeling. We also offer outdoor games, which is a really unique experience for the kids as well."

Looking to add more players between ages 13 to 17 next season, the Cochrane Cougars are excited to offer hockey to all kids who want to get in the game.

Tickets for the comedy fundraiser at Frank Wills Memorial Hall can be found HERE, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7, and the show kicking off at 8 bells.