From the behind-the-scenes volunteers who helped keep things running smoothly, to the doctors and medical students who came to play, last weekend’s Docs on Ice (March 30-April 1) was a tournament of people who care. It was also one heck of a good time.
Benefitting Muskoka’s hospices – the chosen charity for this year’s event – the 34th annual Docs on Ice tournament was hosted by Muskoka Docks, one of two local teams, and manned by a slew of local volunteers.
“There were about 100 volunteers from Hospice and the community welcoming teams and offering support, and the teams also had their own set of volunteers,” said Dr. Deb Harrold, Hospice Huntsville’s Medical Director. “We put a call out to anyone interested in helping and the response was overwhelming – there were a large number of people on our back up list. It was great to have some new faces there – these were community members interested in supporting Docs on Ice and it was a great opportunity to learn about the hospice organizations.”
Melissa Polischuk, Fundraising & Public Relations Coordinator at Hospice Huntsville, said that Hospice is grateful for the volunteer support. “So many of our Hospice volunteers were involved from making muffins, to stuffing bags, to greeting hockey players, to helping out at the rinks. They wanted to be so involved. Our organization is so volunteer driven – they are really the heart of our organization – it’s something we depend on so much and I think they were more than happy to do anything they could. They are a great bunch of people.”
Local physician Rich Trenholm, who was part of the organizing committee and also played for the host team, said Hospice made sense as the charity of choice for the tournament. “A number of charities came to mind when we were selecting but Hospice is very essential to our community and always in need of help. Forty per cent of their operating budget needs to be raised. This is a good opportunity to develop some sustainable funding for them for years to come for much needed equipment and staff support.”
Fifty-six teams and more than 900 physicians and medical students from across Ontario participated in the tournament which was spread across six arenas from Gravenhurst to Burks Falls.
“It’s a good chance for potential physicians to see what our community is like and it showcases local hospitality,” said Trenholm. “All kinds of medical students and residents play at this the tournament, too. They are looking for places to set up shop and establish their families so there were lots of conversations to see what opportunities exist within our community.” And all seemed to have a great time, he added.
“We do it once a year but we are usually scattered in a larger town. Probably 90 per cent of the players were under one roof (at Deerhurst) so it had a big dormitory feel. It was a lot of fun. The hockey was good and the friendships were even better. A lot of people walked away saying it was the best one ever.”Muskoka Docks team (front row from left) Dr. Joe Oliver, Dr. Derek Smith, Dr. Roy Kirkpatrick, Dr. Tim Lapp, Dr. Tony Shearing, Dr. Gerry Forestell; (back row from left) Dr. Steve Hill, Dr. Keith Cross, Dr. Brian Murat, Dr. Andrew Brown, Dr. Marty O’Shaunessy, Dr. Dave Johnstone, Dr. Sanjay Jindal, Dr. Rich Heinzl, Dr. RichTrenholm. Photo: Jenny Kirkpatrick.
The Muskoka Docks won 3-1 against the DOI Generals, lost 0-2 again the Terrortomas, tied the Western 98’s 1-1 and lost to Waterloo 1-4 in their final game.
In their other three games, the DOI Generals lost 8-4 to the Western 98’s, came close in a 4-3 loss against Waterloo, and fell to the Terrortomas 7-2.
Get full results from the tournament here.
The Muskoka Docks vs. The Docs on Ice Generals at the Burks Falls Arena. (Clockwise from top left) Dr. Derek Smith, Jamie Morton and Dr. Rich Trenholm; Dr. Brian Murat and Thomas Morton; Dr. Tony Shearing, Dr. Steve Hill and Dr. Kirsten Jewell; Muskoka Docks team captain Roy Kirkpatrick celebrates a goal. Photos: Donna Martin Sidey.
In the midst of it all came the party. At a gala Friday night at Deerhurst Resort, Alan Doyle and the Beautiful Gypsies took to the stage to entertain everyone. “I’ve never seen a group of doctors get up and enthusiastically dance in front of a stage before,” laughed Trenholm.
Journalist and author Roy MacGregor, who grew up in Huntsville and is a member of the Huntsville Sports Hall of Fame, was also on hand to share hockey stories with the crowd.
Alan Doyle and the Beautiful Gypsies rocked the house at the Deerhurst Resort for the Docs on Ice gala. Roy MacGregor (bottom right) was on hand to share hockey stories for an appreciative crowd. Photos: Jenny Kirkpatrick
Local author Yvonne Heath (left) shares the message from her book Love Your Life to Death at Deerhurst Resort (photo: Britta Gerwin); Brent Ellerson of Totem Juice Company (right) serves up local, cold-pressed juice at Deerhurst Resort (photo: Dr. Rich Trenholm)
“We were delighted to be one of the recipients of the proceeds from Docs on Ice,” said Polischuk. “I think it’s been amazing exposure not only for Hospice Huntsville and Hospice Muskoka but for Muskoka as a region and a destination for people to come back to.”
Hospice Huntsville has several upcoming fundraisers: the Purple Tea Party and silent auction will be held April 16 at Huntsville Place Mall, followed by Hike for Hospice on Sunday, May 1 on Hunters Bay Trail.
Also look for purple boots at local businesses throughout Huntsville, Lake of Bays and the Almaguin Highlands and toss in your change in support of Hospice.
Roy and Jenny Kirkpatrick says
The tournament was, indeed, a great success, and that was due to contributions by many members of our community.
It would be impossible to recognize them all in an article, but I think that we, who were involved, would all agree that credit for the success starts with Dr. Tim Lapp. He would also be the first to deflect the praise to everyone else, but provided organization, support, and leadership from start to finish.
Congratulations Tim for a job well done.
Henk Rietveld says
Wow! That is the best! Kudos to the organizers for a contribution to a charity we may need some time. And….as another benefit, I hope that we managed to attract lots more young medical talent to one of the best places in the country!!
Fabulous job, everyone!
Rich Trenholm says
Yes, Roy and Jenny. You are right. The whole event couldn’t have gone off as smoothly as it did without the incredible leadership that Dr. Lapp provided us with. Literally and figuratively, he stickhandled the event to an incredible win for our community.