Skip to content

Hockey Tournament fundraiser best one yet

Family and friends came out in full force for the 8th annual Noah Yelizarov Memorial Hockey Tournament. "This one was the best one yet," said the late Noah's dad Michael Yelizarov. "What impressed me the most is the constant support of our friends.

Family and friends came out in full force for the 8th annual Noah Yelizarov Memorial Hockey Tournament.

"This one was the best one yet," said the late Noah's dad Michael Yelizarov. "What impressed me the most is the constant support of our friends.

"For the first time, I feel like the whole community support was even stronger this year. Friends stepped up to the plate when key committee members, Kathy and Fred Klomp, were unable to make it."

More than $31,000 was raised on Sunday during the hockey tournament and beverage garden held for the second year in a row at the Richmond Oval.

This brings the total to nearly $200,000 to date, which is shared between charities such as Canuck Place, Children's Hospital, and new this year Blessings in a Backpack - a Canadian-based food distribution charity, which provides backpacks filled with nutritious food for children in inner city elementary schools to take home on weekends (www. blessingsinabackpack.ca).

The yearly fundraiser is held in memory of Noah Yelizarov, who died in 2004 after being electrocuted during a holiday in Thailand. He was just shy of his 19th birthday.

This year was also the best turnout for the hockey tournament, with 26 teams hitting the ice for some exciting hockey.

A few professional players were on hand, including Dallas Stars' Ray Sawada, Springfield Falcons' Wade McLeod and Charlotte Checkers' David Rutherford.

"Our tournament continues to attract excellent players, and the competition provides for great hockey in our three-on-three format," said Don Taylor, the hockey coordinator. "The playoffs were awesome, and the eventual winning team, Team Dotan, had to survive two overtime games.

"Goalie and Richmondite, Aaron Glasser led the team to victory. Aaron was a friend of Noah's and he has played in all eight years."

Canucks defenseman Jason Garrison took part in the festivities and gave away his signed Canucks jersey, which fetched a few hundred during the live auction. Former NFL Super Bowl champion Mitch Berger opened his wallet wide and bid on a number of auction items.

In another first, White Spot Triple O's food truck came onboard this year and donated all of the food for lunch and dinner. While people enjoyed the sunshine, a professional DJ from the Donnelly Group provided music all day until 10: 30 p.m.

"Again, this year, the Donnelly Group has been one of our biggest supporters," added Yelizarov.

For more information about Noah's fundraiser or to view photos from this year's event, visit www.noahmemorialhockey.ca.

mhopkins@richmond-news.com