$30,000 Raised in Wheat Kings’ Commemorative Jersey Auction

Press Release

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League in association with the Brandon Wheat Kings and the 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup Host Committee today announced that a donation of $30,000 will be made to the Dominion Command Poppy Trust Fund. The money was raised through an online auction of the Wheat Kings’ game-worn and game-issued commemorative jerseys for the opening game of the 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup.

Poppy funds are spent to support veterans and their families, buy hospital equipment, support cadet groups, and provide student bursaries.

The commemorative jersey signed by Hockey Night in Canada hosts Don Cherry and Ron MacLean received the highest bid of any jersey at $3,800.

Commemorative jerseys worn by the last three hosts of the MasterCard Memorial Cup including the Brandon Wheat Kings, the Rimouski Oceanic, and the Kitchener Rangers have cumulatively generated over $90,000 for the fund.

The commemorative jerseys were designed by the CHL in conjunction with the Brandon Wheat Kings in honour of the Canadian Army, specifically the men and women past, present, and future of CFB Shilo. CFB Shilo is Manitoba’s only army base and is located approximately 20 minutes from Westman Place, home of the Wheat Kings.

The Memorial Cup was donated in 1919 by the Ontario Hockey Association as a memorial to the men and women who had given their lives in the defence of Canada during World War I. This year, the prestigious trophy was rededicated to all of Canada’s war fallen as part of the opening ceremonies of the 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup at CFB Shilo.

The Memorial Cup was presented for the 92nd time on Sunday when the Windsor Spitfires became just the eighth team in history to win back-to-back titles.


(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)