Mayor’s hockey challenge putting hunger on ice

By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on November 24, 2022.

Herald file photo A shot gets past Lethbridge mayor and goaltender for City of Lethbridge Blaine Hyggen at last year's Mayor's Community Hockey Challenge at the ATB Centre.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

The second annual Mayor’s Community Hockey Challenge on Sunday is targeting not only the back of the net but most importantly, hunger in the city.

The charity hockey game is a fundraiser for local food banks to help them meet the growing need for their services.

Mayor Blaine Hyggen’s first challenge last year raised just under $5,000 for the food banks and he’s hoping to score even bigger support this year.

Hyggen said it’s exciting to have the food banks involved with the challenge.

The fundraiser hits the ice at 4 p.m. Sunday in the ATB Centre’s east/blue arena. People attending are encouraged to bring donations of non-perishable food items. Cash donations are also appreciated.

In fact, cash is king for the food banks which can maximize the dollars donated to them to help the needy in Lethbridge, Hyggen said.

Hyggen said the event is a fun one and he’s looking forward to another win for the City.

“The reason we chose the food banks, as we did last year, is just the incredible need,” the mayor said.

“The increase has been incredible,” he said of numbers using the food banks including people who had never been to one for assistance.

On Thursday, the provincial government announced it is earmarking $20 million over the next two years to assist food banks as they deal with the extra demand on services.

The City team will take on a group from the community. The City’s roster will include players from a variety of departments.

The community team will have coaches including Lethbridge Hurricanes play-by-play announcer Dustin Forbes, Exhibition Park CEO Mike Warkentin and Lethbridge College’s Paul Kingsmith.

Guest coaches include deputy chief of the Lethbridge Police Service Gerald Grobmeier, Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization executive director Rob Miyashiro and MLA for Lethbridge East and Deputy Premier/Minister of Infrastructure Nathan Neudorf. Also assisting behind the City bench will be city councillors Mark Campbell and Jenn Schmidt-Rempel.

Guest referee will be University of Lethbridge student Carley Jewell.

In addition to the three-period game, spectators will be entertained during period intermissions with a program organized by the Lethbridge Sport Council which includes para hockey, a Timbits hockey game, ringette shootout and figure skating performances.

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