The Montreal Canadiens Alumni team is coming to Estevan.
Hockey legends will hit the ice in the fundraiser game against the OSI-CAN Estevan Bruins team. Money raised through the game will go towards the main programs of OSI-CAN, the non-profit initiative that provides support services for people struggling with operational stress injuries (OSI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The tour that is brought to Estevan by the joint efforts of the Royal Canadian Legion Estevan’s Branch and OSI-CAN will allow hockey fans to experience and enjoy the best of the most Canadian game.
The contest between Montreal Canadiens Alumni and OSI-CAN Estevan Bruins will take place on Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. at Affinity Place.
With the event being just around the corner, OSI-CAN is still looking for more players. All participants have to be at least 35 years of age and have some hockey experience. To play for the OSI-CAN Estevan Bruins will cost $400, and the money, raised in Estevan and by Estevan people, will be used to help OSI-CAN to support all of Saskatchewan.
Besides participation, there is a number of other opportunities to get closer to Montreal Canadiens players. Committee co-chair and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #60 Estevan president Jim “Frosty” Forrest explained how it works.
“We have VIP spots that are open, those go for $200 apiece, but that allows them to have sitting behind where the players are, that allows them to have meet and greet with the players of the Montreal Hockey Alumni, and a lunch,” said Forrest.
There are also sponsorship options open to local businesses and corporations, which include tickets and some benefits as well.
For those willing to gain the unique experience playing along with the Montreal Canadiens there are a few spots on the visiting team. And if someone lives and breathes hockey, there is an opportunity to join the coaching staff led by the legendary Steve Shutt, who won five Stanley Cups and was inducted to Hockey Hall of Fame in 1993. It’s easy to believe that available spots are filling fast, especially keeping in mind that all that excitement goes along with supporting a great cause.
OSI-CAN provides help to veterans and first responders dealing with OSI or PTSD all across Saskatchewan. While the program was created through a partnership with the Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command and the Mental Health Association Saskatchewan Division, when it comes to funding OSI-CAN has to rely on their own resources.
“The Royal Canadian Legion and the Canadian Mental Health Association both provide our program with the network of service providers, but they do not provide us any monetary funding,” said Julius Brown, the provincial co-ordinator for OSI-CAN. “So our program is funded solely through private donations.”
The OSI-CAN originated in Saskatchewan. Their network of support services includes referrals for services, equine-assisted therapy, housing supports, service dogs, veterinary support for service dogs, family preservation services and more.
“The particular area that we have a special interest in is volunteer first responders. We value all of them and we provide services for all of them, but we have a special interest with volunteer first responders because they are not eligible for programs like Workers Compensation. For example, one of them is dealing with PTSD and they need to see a counsellor, well, when they do, we pick up their counselling sessions cost,” said Brown.
The program is set to use the support-group model because it allows people in need to come in and have discussions with others that are going through the same problems and that are also in various stages of their own recovery. That puts the support groups participants in the centre of their recovery.
To utilize OSI-CAN services one doesn’t have to be formally diagnosed or referred. People struggling with OSI just have to be willing to admit to themselves that they might need some help. And for those who can’t physically join the peer group meetings there is the phone-in option.
There are eight support-groups operating across Saskatchewan, with the Estevan group being one of the most active. That was one of the reasons to choose the Energy City for the 2019 Montreal Canadiens Alumni Tour.
“I felt that Estevan was the right place to do that. We’ve got the right arena for it, we’ve got probably better community support for initiatives like this than anywhere in the province. Maybe I’m just bragging on Estevan, but that’s the way I feel. And I think, it’s going to be an exciting thing,” said Forrest.
“I would advise people to get their tickets and get out and watch some sports. This isn’t going to come to Estevan every year, so it’s an opportunity to enjoy some pretty damn good hockey, see some hockey heroes and at the same time support worthwhile cause.”
For the Montreal Canadiens Alumni team line-up please see A11.
In the past, the Montreal Canadiens Alumni tour has traveled across the world including the U.S., Germany, Austria, and Russia. The alumni tour supports charitable organizations while allowing younger and older people to watch and meet the players that have made hockey history.
