Local hockey teams are a big part of communities like Lethbridge, where the small town-big city feel is apparent. The teams are more local, often more personal, as many of the players are hometown boys.

Lethbridge’s own WHL team boasts some current known names in the NHL as their own. Zach Boychuk went to the Carolina Hurricanes. Carter Ashton was drafted first round to Tampa Bay last year, and most recently Kris Versteeg won the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks and brought the Cup home back in July.

Not only do the names mean a lot to the city, what’s more is what the team does for our community. The Lethbridge Hurricanes have shown devotion to charity work for their hometown.

On Sept. 4 and 5 for example, the Canes’ Intersquad Tournament supported the United Way of Lethbridge and Southern Alberta, which had staff on location during the games to accept donations. Training camp was also an opportunity for the team to accept donations for United Way, a non-profit charity that provides programs and services for disadvantaged youth, seniors and people with mental and physical limitations. 

On Sept. 18, the Canes held a barbecue at the Enmax Center for season ticket holders. United Way hosted a charity dunk tank at the same time.           

Most recently, the Hurricanes announced this week their second annual “Pink in the Rink” event. The event will be held on Nov. 19 and 20 to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer as the players don specially designed jerseys for those games. The jerseys will be auctioned off after the games with proceeds going to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.  

Having potential NHL players in our own community that involved in charity is certainly something to be proud of.