Heated rivalries: Charity hockey tournamentreturning in Exeter
- 15 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Dan Rolph
The rivalries may already be getting intense, but the experience will all be in good fun as the community comes together in support of a good cause.
The third annual charity hockey tournament will be back in at the South Huron Recreation Centre April 9, bringing together six teams from local businesses to raise funds and collect food donations for the Huron County Food Bank Distribution Centre.
Jenn Case of Huron Tractor, one of the tournament’s organizers, spoke to the Examiner about the tournament that already has the community buzzing with excitement.
Case said the idea for the tournament came as there was a decline in donations to the local food bank due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We were just trying to think of something that would bring people together and impact the community at the same time,” said Case. “Hockey seemed to be that ice that just worked.”
The first tournament featured teams from Huron Tractor and Jayden’s Mechanical in 2024, but that roster doubled in size in 2025 to include Huron Motor Products and the McCann Group.
In 2026, Baker Holdings Corporation and Delta Power Equipment are stepping onto the ice, bringing the tournament to a roster of six teams.
“We actually had so many people reach out wanting to get involved,” said Case.
As part of the tournament, each team that participates donates $1,677 to the food bank, meaning this year’s event will have raised over $10,000 before skates have even touched the ice “It’s putting your money where your mouth is,” said Case. “If we’re asking for donations, just to know that we’re donating at the same time is heartwarming for everyone.”
With the tournament building up to its third event, the rivalries between the teams have become one of the defining traits of the fundraiser and food drive. The teams take to social media, sharing videos that feed into the rivalries with creative pranks and harsh words, spreading the word about the tournament.
“It’s rivalries meeting generosity,” said Case. “People enjoy the back-and-forth banter between who’s playing, and they come out to cheer on their favourite team.”
This year’s matchups will begin with Jayden’s Mechanical taking on the McCann Group. Huron Motor Products and Baker Holdings Corporation will take to the ice next, while Huron Tractor and Delta Power Equipment will cap off the evening with their faceoff.
With Huron Tractor having been toppled by McCann Group 8-5 last year, the team is looking for a win this time around. Meanwhile, Delta Power Equipment will be looking to impress the crowds with their debut in the tournament.
“I don’t think either side wants to lose very bad,” said Case. “I’m sure it will be very entertaining.”
Though Case said organizers hadn’t set a specific fundraising goal, she noted that they hope to see this year’s fundraiser and food drive garner more support than last year’s already successful event.
“Last year, the support of the community was incredible,” said Case. “With the amount of people who showed up, we raised more than $6,000 in donations and two truckloads of food.
“People who don’t normally watch hockey were coming through the doors with canned goods.”
While speaking about the importance of supporting the Huron County Food Bank Distribution Centre, Case said it’s become a staple in the community.
“You need the food bank,” she said. “There’s people struggling. There’s farmers struggling. Everybody’s struggling. It’s just a way to help out.
“All of businesses involved are community driven. They want to help out, and the food bank feels like a no brainer in this situation. They are great for the community.”
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