Royals Put on the Pink for BC Cancer Foundation
-- Lisa Lynam, Zone 91.3 Interim Hockey reporter
-- Lisa Lynam, Zone 91.3 Interim Hockey reporter
On Saturday night the Victoria Royals look to continue their tradition of Pink in the Rink at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre when they host the Vancouver Giants for their second of two home games. The event is an important part of the Royals calendar that makes a difference in the community and supports the BC Cancer Foundation. Last year the Royals raised $39,000 for cancer research on Vancouver Island.
Royals players will be wearing a limited edition Pink in the Rink jersey. The game worn jerseys of Brandon Magee, Tyler Soy, Travis Brown and Marty the Marmot will be part of a post-game live auction on the ice with all proceeds to the BC Cancer Foundation.
There will also be a silent auction of other players’ jerseys (Logan Fisher, Ryan Gagnon, Jayden Sittler) on Saturday night – with auctions of other players’ jerseys continuing throughout the year. See www.victoriaroyals.com/jerseyauctions for the full list and schedule.
This year players have also targeted raising $10,000 themselves online at the BC Cancer Foundation donation website (http://donate.bccancerfoundation.com/site/TR?fr_id=2590&pg=entry) and competing for the Top Player Fundraising Award.
Royals General Manager Cam Hope emphasized the importance of the event now in its fourth year which was switched to the month of October to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness month,
“Everyone in the organization in some way or another is touched by cancer and cancer treatment. It’s extremely important to all of us. We fundraise during the game in all different ways including a portion of the sale of tickets.”
Fans have plenty of ways in addition to jersey auctions to chip in their support - pink banner clappers will be available to fans upon entrance by donation and all Chuck-A-Puck and 50-50 draw proceeds will go to the BC Cancer Foundation.
Beyond the fundraising cause, it also gives players an opportunity show their community support by playing for those who have been touched by cancer.
Joe Hicketts, #2, Defenseman
Pink in the Rink is a special night for everyone... My grandpa who survived cancer is definitely in my head, and a good friend Murray Monroe, he passed away a couple years ago of cancer so I’ll be playing for him on Saturday.
Pink in the Rink is a special night for everyone... My grandpa who survived cancer is definitely in my head, and a good friend Murray Monroe, he passed away a couple years ago of cancer so I’ll be playing for him on Saturday.
Coleman Vollrath, #35, Goalie
I’ll be playing for my grandma Judy Smiley, my dad’s mom – she had part of her lung removed because of some cancer in there, so I’ll be playing for her for sure.
I’ll be playing for my grandma Judy Smiley, my dad’s mom – she had part of her lung removed because of some cancer in there, so I’ll be playing for her for sure.
Tyler Soy, #17, Centre
Luckily no one in my immediate family has been lost from cancer, but my grandpa had cancer and he battled through and we have a lot of family friends who have gone through fighting cancer so it’s pretty close to home and I’m very excited to play a game to be able to support such a good cause for the BC Cancer Foundation.
Luckily no one in my immediate family has been lost from cancer, but my grandpa had cancer and he battled through and we have a lot of family friends who have gone through fighting cancer so it’s pretty close to home and I’m very excited to play a game to be able to support such a good cause for the BC Cancer Foundation.
Brandon Magee, #18, Forward
My aunt had breast cancer, and she’s a survivor... I’m playing for her and that game is going to be dedicated for her, but I’ve got a lot of buddies who have been touched by cancer so I think the night is really a special night for everybody in the room.
My aunt had breast cancer, and she’s a survivor... I’m playing for her and that game is going to be dedicated for her, but I’ve got a lot of buddies who have been touched by cancer so I think the night is really a special night for everybody in the room.
Austin Carroll, #21, Forward
My dad passed away from cancer so he’s in the back of my mind every game but for Pink in the Rink maybe a little bit more.
My dad passed away from cancer so he’s in the back of my mind every game but for Pink in the Rink maybe a little bit more.
Bringing in the pink also has proven beneficial for Victoria’s record too - going 2-1-0-0 on the night including last year’s overtime victory against Vancouver.
Listen to the games on The Zone @91.3 fm, with the pregame show starting at 6:40, or online at www.thezone.fm/whl.
