York Hockey Club Wins On and Off the Ice

York Hockey Club held its annual Toys For Tots Night Dec. 6 at Addison Ice Arena, where the teams played host to Oak Park River Forest High School.  

The evening was a success by any standard: The event was the most successful toy collection in the club’s history, and both the varsity and junior varsity teams registered lop-sided victories over the visiting Huskies.

Since 2009, York Hockey Club has collected new toys to share with underprivileged children throughout the community during the holiday season.  The club collected more than 1,000 toys as part of this year’s event.  That represents a 30 percent increase in donations over the prior year.

“Our players and their families have been extremely blessed,” said Dick DuFort, York Hockey Club president. “This event is just a small way for those of us that have been given so much to give back to our community and those less fortunate.”

The York players made donations to the cause and solicited support and donations from family members and friends.  More than 40 players participated in the event.  In total they were able to bring in donations from about 500 families.  According to Toys for Tots representatives, this was the largest single event collection effort they had experienced. 

In a true showing of sportsmanship, the OPRF players, families and coaches made donations to the York Hockey Club’s effort. York players and families responded in-kind with donations of non-perishable food items for the Huskies’ to distribute to local food banks. 

“I’m proud of our players and their families,” said Bruce Turpin, York Hockey Club head coach.  “We are trying to teach these young people to be good people and good teammates above all else.”

York proved to be more generous in their philanthropic endeavors than they were as hosts to their league opponents.  Once the puck dropped, the York teams showed no mercy on the visitors as the junior varsity team improved its league leading record to 13-2-0 with a 5-0 victory over OPRF.  The varsity club followed suite with a 7-3 win.

Anyone interested in making donation to this worthwhile cause can visit www.toysfortots.org.