The Assistant Captain of the Timmins Flyers says the team isn’t sweating over the upcoming charity hockey game that will see the Flyers take on members of the Timmins Police Service, local Firefighters and the OPP.

The hockey game is for a good cause, supporting Alyssa McGaghran, a six year old girl with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex. Alyssa has tumors in her brain, heart, kidneys and behind her left eye. She needs to visit Sick Kids regularly and has been over 40 times.

Brent Gauthier, the Assistant Captain for the Flyers, says the team is happy to play to help support Alyssa and her family.

“This year, we decided to look out in the community,” Gauthier said, “and we found that Alyssa is a great girl. And we’d feel super happy to help out with the costs.”

The hockey team hosts a charity game every year to help support a local family with funds for medical or travel expenses.

The Flyers aren’t worried about the upcoming competition for the game.

“I feel good,” said Keenan Bertrand, player for the Timmins Flyers, “I feel like, after the first period, they’re going to be hurting. They’re probably a little out of shape; too many doughnuts. I feel good, I feel confident going into it.”

“We have a good hockey team,” added Gauthier, “and I know it’s a fun game but we don’t like to loose. So we’re going to be taking this pretty seriously and want to put out a good show for the fans that come out.”

Gauthier said the team isn’t feeling the heat coming from the opposing Timmins Police Service players.

“I know they have a couple guys who can skate the puck pretty well. But we’re not that worried; we’ve faced worse.”

Timmins Police members recently commented on the game and their opposition. You can read about that here.

Fighting words aside, the Timmins Flyers are mostly excited to be giving back to the community. The Flyers have raised $16,000 since 2013 with their annual charity games. And the players keep it in perspective.

“It’s always nice to see teams giving back to the community. And in a northern Ontario fashion, we’re just playing a game of hockey. So it’s going to be fun,” said Bertrand.

Gauthier says the team has their coach to thank for the community-minded attitude he inspires in his players.

“I think it goes back to our coach, Kim Barney,” said Gauthier. “He loves that we’re good hockey players, but he also wants to make sure that we’re good young men as well. So every year we have a charity game and a game that we work with the Food Bank, also, to help our community. Because it’s not always just about hockey. Hockey unites people together. And I think this is a great way to raise funds and let people have fun but also make it for a good cause.”

The Flyers will face the OPP, Timmins Police Service and Firefighters this Wednesday, Jan. 30th at the Archie Dillon Sportsplex Arena. The puck drops at 8 PM.

The entry fee is a cash donation. There will also be prizes, a 50/50 draw and silent auction, all to help raise funds for Alyssa McGaghran and her family.

 

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