In 2006 the Grande Prairie Storm hit the ice at the Canada Games Arena using pink sticks. They were up for auction along with a custom-made pink goalie mask.
It was the first-ever fund-raiser for breast cancer research held in the building.
Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. the Storm host the Calgary Canucks in the same venue, now called Revolution Place, in what has evolved into an event called Secure Energy Shoot For The Cure and, for the 10th time, the Storm will be wearing pink jerseys.
The jerseys will be auctioned off during the game, handed over to the top bidders on the ice after the game and money raised from the event will add to a fund that has already collected over $75,000 for the cause.
“At Secure Energy we are committed to giving to and being part of the communities where we live and work,” said Secure general manager of northern operations Rocky Gerlitz, who is also a Storm board member.
“Be being a major sponsor it is out hope to rally our friends, clients, colleagues and industry partners in order to help raise the much-needed dollars for the annual Secure Energy Shoot For The Cure . . . while taking in the spirit of the game.”
The Storm were one of the first junior teams in Canada to start the pink jersey tradition and the community has embraced it.
“It is important to our team that we maintain a positive presence within our communities,” said Gerlitz, wearing his Storm hat. “Employee-led campaigns have been the foundation for rallying support and awareness around local causes.”
Money raised from the auction isn't the only revenue being collected.
WestJet has, again, donated a trip for two anywhere they fly. Fans can purchase a pink Frisbee at the game and toss it at a target at centre ice in the second intermission. The Frisbee closest to the target wins the trip.
Over $75,000 has been collected at the pink game since the first one in 2006.