What’s happening?
The New Westminster Firefighters' Charitable Society is once again hosting the Hydrant Cup, a charity hockey game between the New West firefighters’ team and the Vancouver Canucks Alumni. Normally held every two years, the popular event returns for the first time since 2014.
Details:
The 2018 Hydrant Cup will take place at Queen’s Park Arena on Saturday, Nov. 3. The puck drops at 7 p.m., but the charitable society is collaborating with Kelly O’Bryan’s restaurant and hosting a barbecue before the game.
Anything else?
The evening, which gets underway with pre-game activities and a barbecue at 5:30 p.m., also includes face painting, entertainment, a 50-50 for sure, prize raffles and a Frisbee toss.
Why should people come out?
“It’s family friendly. It’s going to be a lot of fun. There is going to be a lot of things to do,” said firefighter Dustin Javens, director of the 2018 Hydrant Cup. “And you are going to be supporting a great cause. All the money that is raised stays within the community for various different charitable reasons.”
Local firefighters belong to the charitable society, which is a non-profit society. Through the society, New West firefighters donate their off-duty time to raise funds for a variety of endeavours including food programs, bursaries and other community needs. Along with the Hydrant Cup, the society’s other fundraisers include a tree-chipping event in January and a shred-athon in June.
Do the firefighters have a chance of winning this one?
It’s unknown who will be suiting up for the Canucks alumni team, but players who have played in past Hydrant Cup games include Cliff Ronning, Darcy Rota and Jyrki Lumme.
The New Westminster firefighters’ team plays regularly in a firefighter’s league against other fire departments. While some players are just out to have a little bit of fun, others have played some high-level hockey.
“We have Brian Stewart as the goaltender. He’s not a firefighter but we had to pull out an ex-pro goaltender. He was on a Philadelphia Flyers contract,” Javens said. “We are decent. We are going to put up a solid game, that’s for sure. We want everybody obviously to be engaged in the game, just as much as all of the activities. We are putting up a competitive team. ”
How much will tickets cost?
Family passes, which are for two adults and three kids, are $20. You can buy tickets at G&F Financial, Queen’s Park and Moody Park arenas, Kelly O’Byran’s, and some schools and minor hockey players are also selling tickets.
“It’s a great fundraising opportunity for the kids,” Javens said. “Whatever they sell, they are going to get half back. It’s 50 per cent of the passes. ”
Folks who are planning to attend the Hydrant Cup can also pre-purchase tickets for a burger package.
“Kelly O’Bryan’s going to be there barbecuing,” said firefighter Glen Bailey. “They are pre-selling a burger package – a burger, pachos and a drink – for $8. At the door it will be $10.”
You’ve got something special happening at this year’s event – what’s happening?
Members of the New Westminster Firefighters’ Charitable Society have been grieving the loss of Olivia Malcom, daughter of longtime New West firefighter Tony Malcom and wife Bridget, who died in a tragic car accident on June 2. The Malcom family, including Olivia, have been huge supporters of the charitable society’s fundraisers through the years.
Members of the Malcom family will be attending the game, where the charitable society will honour Olivia. Bridget will say a few words before the ceremonial puck drop, and community members can share their thoughts or messages on a memory wall in the lobby.
“The Malcoms are going to do a memory wall for Olivia. They are also going to be selling hoodies with the Olivia Malcom emblem on it. Any money they make off of those hoodies will be donated to the charitable society,” Bailey said. “It’s our way of honouring the Malcoms a little bit more and Olivia’s memory. It affected all of us. It’s like losing one of our own. They are a big part of our lives.”
