Army and Navy battle it out on Hockey Day

By Jordan Ferris

Members of the Canadian Armed Forces traded in their rifles for hockey sticks to celebrate Hockey Day in Canada.

On Saturday Feb. 9, the Canadian Armed forces held their second annual Grapes Cup Army vs Navy hockey game. This was one of many events held Canada-wide to celebrate Hockey Day in  Canada. The event was hosted and sponsored by Adopt-A-Vet, a non-profit organization that founder Brad Krewench said supports Canadian veterans in a different way.

“Adopt-A-Vet was founded in 2014 when we realized there was a bunch of veterans that have outlived their friends and families,” said Krewench. “A bunch of the guys here in the army we go and visit them over the holidays and make sure they’re not alone. We make sure they know we still remember what they did.”    

Kerwech added the organization has helped over 100 veterans so far. He also said it can be hard to keep track as veterans get older and move around.

While attendance to the game was free, donations were accepted as a way for the organization to support their efforts.

Before the game the band and bagpipes played out veterans for the ceremonial puck drop that was taken by the captains of each team. Krewech says an event on Hockey Day in Canada is a good way to raise funds and awareness for Adopt-A-Vet because of how deeply it’s rooted in Canadian culture.

“Hockey day in Canada has been around since the World Wars and actually used to be something the armies would put on,” said  Krewench. “ It is one of Canada’s great sports so it is awesome being able to get out there a represent the Army in a game like this.”

Krewench said this event originally started as just a friendly ball hockey tournament between the Army and Navy.

“Moving the tournament to the WFCU was a way to bring the organization towards the public more and help raise funds,” said Krewench.