The Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni are coming to Muskoka and hitting the ice on February 27 in support of local children and youth.
The alumni squad will face off at the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre Arena in a fundraising game for the Children’s Foundation of Muskoka (CFM). Organizers promise a fun-filled evening of nostalgia, community spirit, and hockey for a good cause.
All proceeds from ticket sales will support the CFM, which was founded in 1992 and provides children and youth across the region with access to basic needs, summer camp, sports and recreation programs, post-secondary education assistance, mental health supports, and other community initiatives.
Executive Director Dave Lyons said the CFM’s primary mission is to ensure every child receives the opportunity to feel “happy, healthy, and a sense of belonging.”
“Childhood is a pretty special time in life and yet, not every child feels included or is able to participate,” Lyons said. “We’re working as hard as we can to create inclusion and close that gap so that every child can participate.”
The game will feature a lineup of former Maple Leafs stars, led by head coach Wendel Clark and team captain Rick Vaive. Joining them on the ice are Kris King, Mike Johnson, Nik Antropov, Nikolay Kulemin, Brad May, Al Iafrate, Todd Gill, Gary Leeman, Adam Munro, Paul Ranger, Jeremy Williams, and Dan Daoust.
Lyons said the alumni players have been instrumental in helping organize the event and will stay after the game to meet fans and pose for photos.
“They’ve been very generous and accommodating and absolutely lovely to work with,” he said. “They seem like a great group of guys who are very community minded.”
To boost fundraising efforts, the CFM launched an online silent auction on February 19 featuring unique items and experiences donated by Maple Leafs alumni and local supporters. Among the items up for bid are local artwork, a signed Wendel Clark jersey, an all-inclusive trip to Mexico, and a Toronto getaway that includes admission to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Lyons said community support and sponsorship from local businesses have been overwhelming and crucial in bringing the event to life.
“We’re so grateful and continuously floored by the incredible generosity of the Muskoka community,” he said. “It takes a village to raise a child, and there’s no better example than this.”
Currently, the CFM’s top funding priority is sending children to summer camp. Partnering with more than 40 camps across the region, the CFM aims to send between 100 and 150 children to camp each year.
“That’s really on the front burner right now because summer’s not that far away,” Lyons said. “We want to get as many kids as we can to camp this summer. It’s a wonderful opportunity and can be a real game changer for kids.”
As of February 23, more than $30,000 has been raised through ticket sales and donations, and a limited number of general admission tickets and VIP passes remain available.
If the alumni game proves successful, Lyons said the CFM hopes to make it an annual tradition.
“It’s lots of fun, and who doesn’t want a fun night out in the middle of winter? A night like this brings people together – all for a great cause.”
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit childrenofmuskoka.com.
