MBC News File Photo
A weekend of hockey, community and fun all to give children the chance to play, no matter the financial situation.
The charity game initially began in 1985, when Dave McCormick received a phone call asking for donations to help the “It Shouldn’t Hurt to be a Child” program through the Victims of Violence: Canadian Centre for Missing Children charity in Ottawa. The charity was founded by Gary and Sharon Rosenfeldt after their son had been killed by Canadian serial killer, Clifford Olsen.
McCormick had already been running a tournament in Arnprior and wanted to find a way to help support the organization through sport.
The tournament ran for years, raising funds for the organization.
In 2009, Gary Rosenfeldt passed away after a battle with cancer and his wife, Sharon, decided to pass the reins over to Brittany Faulkner, who continued to run the charity until it ceased operations in 2019.
Faulkner transferred many of the organization’s branding assets over to McCormick including the child logo and the “It Shouldn’t Hurt to be a Child” name, so that he could continue the tournament independently.
Over the years, the tournament has raised funds for organizations like the Children’s Wish Foundation and the Arnprior Regional Health Foundation.
During that time, Glenn Arthur, then recreation director for the Nick Smith Centre asked McCormick if he’d be interested in supporting an organization called KidSport.
Arthur had founded the Renfrew County division of KidSport. McCormick agreed and thus, this edition of the tournament began.
Glenn Arthur retired from the Town of Arnprior in 2017 and passed away in 2024. Since then, the tournament has been known as the “Glenn Arthur Memorial ‘It Shouldn’t Hurt to be a Child’ Hockey Tournament.”
Now, the 40th edition of the tournament, spanning 41 years, will get underway next Friday and Saturday, November 13th and 14th. McCormick says the weekend will be packed with things to do.
The two days feature 34 men’s and women’s hockey teams battling it out, running from 3:30 p.m. until after midnight on Friday and 8 a.m. until after midnight on the Saturday. Two games beginning on Friday will feature the Glenn Arthur Cup and the Mike “Jesse” Perreault Cup.
Hours of hockey, but that’s not the only piece to it. Saturday will feature a magic show for everyone to enjoy in the community hall at the Nick Smith Centre at 1 p.m. presented by the Arnprior Skating Club. Tickets can be purchased by emailing or messaging the Arnprior Skating Club through Facebook.
Saturday night will bring ‘The Music In Me” tribute show in honour of Mike “Jesse” Perreault featuring the Riley New Band. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance, by emailing McCormick at ishtbachockey@gmail.com.
The entire weekend is in support of KidSport Renfrew County to ensure any child regardless of their family’s financial situation, gets a chance to play. McCormick is grateful of all the support from the numerous sponsors that help make this event possible after so long.
They’re always looking for volunteers. If you’d like more information, email Dave McCormick at ishtbachockey@gmail.com.
Any information on the event can be found on KidSport Canada’s website, on the Anrprior Skating Club’s Facebook page and our community calendar.
(Written by: Bob Kubbinga)