The Win4Skin hockey tournament was started in 2009 following the passing of Owen Schlosser, a University of Alberta athlete and close friend, from malignant melanoma. After several months of planning, the first ever Win4Skin 3-on-3 Street Hockey Tournament was held on March 6, 2010 at the Brookside Community Hall. Twenty-four teams registered for what was supposed to be a 3-on-3 ice hockey tournament, but changed course shortly before the event due to weather conditions. From then on it’s been a ball hockey tournament has been thoroughly enjoyed!
In addition to the street hockey tournament, a silent auction filled with incredible items, ranging from wine tasting trips to BC, autographed memorabilia and mountains bikes. There is always something for everybody!
Also, several activities for fans and a delicious free BBQ were also provided during the day. The event turned out to be an enormous success for its’ first year with a total fundraising of over $32,000 shared between the Owen Schlosser Endowment Fund for Underprivileged Athletes and the Mary Johnston Chair in Melanoma Research. Players and organizers alike agreed it was one of the best events of the year.
With the success of the first event shortly behind us, we began brainstorming for a bigger and brighter future of Win4Skin. On June 4, 2011, the second annual Win4Skin was held bringing in more teams, more activities, and more prizes. The event saw 120 ball hockey players plus an additional 200 friends and family. The day included the street hockey tournament followed by an Dinner Banquet with 160 attendees, which ultimately brought the Win4Skin grand total to over $82,000 shared between the two charities.
This year, Win4Skin will be held on June 2, 2012 and we are hoping to continue with out success! Please consider joining the movement as a player, volunteer, or donor, as we work together to reach Win4Skin’s current goal of $300,000 over the next few years!
If you are interested in being a part of Win4Skin, we welcome you with open arms. Feel free to click on the “Contact us” to express your desire to join our family!
