Using hockey to build hope
By Michael Caples –
ORCHARD LAKE – Just two days after the conclusion of the high school hockey season, six seniors gathered in the banquet room overlooking Orchard Lake St. Mary’s ice arena.
They are some of the most talented players the state has to offer. But this meeting wasn’t to discuss how they were all named to the All-State team. It was to talk about something that wouldn’t help them in their hockey careers – which are certain to continue – but to help others less fortunate.
Led by Orchard Lake St. Mary’s captain Stephan Beauvais, the players – Mackenzie MacEachern, Nolan Gluchowski, Ethan Weiss, Jack Aliotta, and David Muth – are assembling a three-on-three tournament on April 28-29 to raise money for a local charity.
The goal of the tournament, which will feature senior and underclassmen teams from high schools across the state, is to raise money for Angels of Hope, a charity that assists families with children battling cancer.
Steve York, the Angels of Hope volunteer board member assisting the students, said he couldn’t believe what the group of high school hockey stars is doing, and that he hopes it sets an example for their peers.
“I just think it’s amazing that a group of high school kids who are really at the top of their game, are taking the time out of their schedule to do something for kids who, quite honestly, will never get this opportunity,” York said.
Beauvais came up with the idea for the tournament a few months ago, but he, like the other players, wasn’t able to fully invest in the idea until the conclusion of a demanding high school hockey season. Now, he’s off and running, with the help of his friends he met through his years of playing hockey in Michigan. Along with the six attendees at the meeting, he also has other friends helping out along the way, including Cranbrook captain Cameron Heath.
“I was like, ‘there’s got to be a way where we can all get together, and give back to these kids, Beauvais said. “I only know one thing, and it’s hockey. So I said, you know what, I can figure out a way to get all these people involved, and use hockey to help the Angels of Hope foundation.“
Convincing his friends to participate wasn’t a problem at all. Like other families, these are young adults who had the unfortunate experience of dealing with cancer in their own families, and wanted to help others battling the disease.
“Anytime there’s a cause I can help out with, I won’t hesitate when given the opportunity to do it,” said Cranbrook Kingswood’s Ethan Weiss. “We already had one of these with Brother Rice this year and we raised a lot of money for Gleaners [Food Bank] and now I want to do it again, and I like that feeling of helping people out.
“About 11 years ago my mother died from cancer, so especially with Scuba finding me and asking me to help out, this time it really means something a lot.
“I’m not going to hesitate to help anyone out with cancer, especially because it hit my family hard, but, you know, we’re going to raise a lot of money and hopefully we’ll do good.”
This year’s Mr. Hockey – Brother Rice’s MacEachern – said that he hopes that the group is laying a foundation for years to come.
“It’s just a great fundraiser. I can’t wait to get it going,” MacEachern said. “I hope it keeps going and doesn’t stop. It’s awesome, like I said, and hopefully it keeps going.
“My aunt died of breast cancer about two years ago, so I know what it’s like, and that’s why it really got me.”
During their first meeting, York shared with the players some of the stories he has experienced from working with Angels of Hope. The volunteer board member of the charity said, however, that the act of players assembling the charitable tournament themselves is a first.
“I have two programs going on simultaneously, a Troy High School Colt lacrosse program and this,” York said. “But in six years of doing this, this is the first time we’ve been approached by students who have said hey, we want to do this. So hopefully the tide’s turning, and it becomes something a little bit more mainstream to these students.”
Aside from actually participating in the tournament, there are plenty of ways for people to get involved with the “Hockey For Hope” tournament. Volunteers are needed for referees, scorekeepers, 50/50 raffle ticket sellers, and volunteer services for the families Angels of Hope is helping. Businesses can also get involved by sponsoring periods or goals, or being included in announcements and signage. For more information, contact Beauvais at ScubaOLSM@gmail.com.