About 60 local firefighters skated in the first annual Ishkode Cup hockey tournament Saturday at the Mnjikaning Arena Sports Ki at Rama First Nation.
The tournament, organized by Rama Fire and Rescue Services acting Capt. Doug Rideout, aims to raise awareness for mental health and money for local charities through 50/50 and raffle draws.
While there is no fundraising goal, #IveGotYourBack911, The Sharing Place Food Centre, and the Rama Food Distribution Program will be the beneficiaries.
“It builds up overall morale,” Rideout said. “This is a way to bring us all together again, have some fun, and build the brother- and sisterhood up with a friendly hockey tournament.”
Rama Fire and Rescue Services, Severn Township Fire and Emergency Services, the Orillia Fire Department, and Ramara Fire and Rescue Services competed for the Ishkode Cup, which translates to Fire Cup in Ojibwe.
“There are some big bragging rights on the line,” Rideout said. “I know Orillia has been out four or five times for practices, Severn practises together, Ramara, I think, gathered once, and we gathered once. We are all gunning for that trophy.”
Brendan Davidson, an Orillia firefighter for 15 years, says the Ishkode Cup is helping to create a special bond between the local fire halls.
“We are pretty excited to play,” he said. “For the past months, everybody has been talking about it.”
While the event is about raising money for charity and sharing in a fun day of hockey with fellow firefighters, Davidson says nobody wants to be on the losing end of the tournament.
“Playing the other departments is just like playing your younger sibling,” he explained. “They are somebody we want to beat, but at the same time, they are somebody we want to share a social drink with.”
Tony deGroot, a new recruit with Severn Township Fire and Emergency Service, says the Ishkode Cup is “awesome.”
“It’s great to get all the fire stations together,” he said. “It promotes positive energy, especially since COVID made a lot of us feel isolated.”
His team skated to an 8-3 victory over the tournament favourite, Rama, in the first game, and he says his team is a competitive group.
“Our team plays Friday-night pickup, where we play against each other,” he said. “It’s nice to be able to play against another team.”
The championship final was set to take place at 5 p.m.
