For years, Montreal Victoire forward Laura Stacey has held her event Sticks in for Charity in her home province of Ontario, but this year, for the first time, she decided to hold two events, one in Toronto in early July and one in Montreal in August.
On Saturday, under the warm Montreal sun by the Verdun Auditorium, the event felt like a big street hockey party. Stacey’s Foundation aims to help kids lead active lives, and to do so, she holds these events and splits the funds between her four partnered foundations: Vie Active, Kids Sports, Jumpstart, and Laureus. To raise funds, participants in the ball hockey tournament pay an entry fee, and a silent auction featuring various memorabilia items was held.
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Stacey’s website describes the event as an inclusive ball hockey tournament, and that’s a very accurate description. A diverse group picked up their sticks to play ball hockey – kids, adults, men, women of all ages and shapes – everyone was welcomed to play.
The day started with the introduction of the various pros taking part in the event, a list including Caroline Ouellette, Kim St-Pierre, Laurianne Rougeau, Kristin O’Neill, Marie-Philip Poulin, Abby Boreen, Cayla Barnes, Alexandra Labelle, Jade Downie-Landry, and Ann-Renee Desbiens.
With introductions out of the way, Stacey approached the tower of sticks at the center of the playing surface and started dishing them out to the various captains as the players looked on and wondered whose team they’d be on. There were plenty of enthusiastic reactions, with one woman actually screaming: “Oh my god!!!! I’m going to be on Pou’s team!” For anyone who had the joy of playing pond or road hockey growing up, this brought back some great childhood memories.
When the ball dropped on the first two games, the pros that weren’t involved in the games walked the ground chatting with fans, posing for photos, and signing autographs.
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As always, Team Canada and Montreal Victoire captain Marie-Philip Poulin attracted the biggest crowd and took the time to sign for each and every one of the fans who asked. While she doesn’t like getting too much praise, the woman is a living legend, and the smiles of the kids who got their picture taken with “Captain Clutch” said it all.
Lily Kazamias, who attended both the Toronto and the Montreal tournaments, sported a huge grin when she posed with the Victoire captain.
Lily Kazamias was one of the many lucky fans to spend time with Marie-Philip Poulin at the event.
The fantastic atmosphere was also helped by how casual and laid-back the athletes were. Ann-Renee Desbiens showed up with her dog, Bamboo. The pooch is featured on the goaltender’s mask, and she jokingly said that she had to bring him since he’s starting to be more well-known than she is. Plenty of fans also took their dogs to the event, and the furry fans looked like they were enjoying the day as much as their owners.
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Even those who attended in less-than-ideal circumstances were having a whale of a time. Becca Ballman showed up to the event on crutches and with a walking boot, but she made the best of a bad situation, getting the athletes to sign it. It cost me $150, so I’m keeping it anyway, she said after Abby Boreen signed it for her.
Becca Ballman knows how to make the best of a bad situation.
Of course, for die-hard fans seeking collectibles, Premium Autographs, which has exclusive deals with many players, had a booth showcasing a variety of items, including signed jerseys, pucks, frames, and photos, catering to all budgets and tastes.
Former Team Canada goaltender Kim St-Pierre was attending not only as a player, but also as Regional Manager for Western Quebec of Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart Foundation. St-Pierre was happy to take part in the event.
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“It’s my first time taking part,” she said. “I never had the opportunity to attend the previous events, but when I heard there was going to be one in Montreal, I didn’t want to miss it. Laura’s going to donate the proceeds to a few organizations, including Jumpstart, so it’s nice to be here in two capacities.”
St-Pierre, like many trailblazers that came before the league, wished she’d been born at a time where a league like the PWHL existed.
“So much! It’s crazy to see how things have evolved,” she said. “But then again, I’m so happy to see it; we had dreamed and hoped so much…Seeing the sport’s current state makes me tremendously proud to have been part of the journey. The passion and enthusiasm of fans and sponsors give me chills every time I attend the games. I’m so happy for the girls who are tremendous ambassadors, and they’ll keep reaching new highs.”
St-Pierre regularly attends Victoire games with her husband and two boys, who are big Poulin and Stacey fans. She added that if her boys are given a choice between seeing the Montreal Canadiens and the Victoire, they always pick the PWHL outfit.
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Just like Desbiens, St-Pierre made sure to grab a goalie stick when the teams were made earlier in the day. For once, the usually masked ladies wanted to experience something different and play up front. The Victoire netminder also added: “I’m not the one who’s going to be too hot under all that gear today.”
All around the ground, there were chairs to allow fans to take a break and kick back in the shade. Healthy snacks and energy drinks were provided as well for anyone who wanted them. The day felt like a fantastic celebration of hockey, and given the success of the event, it would be a safe bet this will become a yearly tradition. The Foundation’s goal for 2025 was to reach $50,000, but in the end, the events raised over $100,000 for a great cause and allowed fans to have an incredible day competing alongside some of their idols.
