Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation
hockey and football fusion

3rd annual Winter Classic at Merlis Belsher Place

Jan 27, 2025 | 2:41 PM

What do you get when professional football players and former NHL alumni collide? A four-quarter hockey game, a ton of fun and support for a great cause. The Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation presents the third annual Winter Classic presented by McDougall Auctioneers at Merlis Belsher Place Saturday, February 1st at 1:00 PM. Proceeds from this family fun event go to the foundation’s Win With Wellness campaign for mental health.

Rider kicker Brett Lauther captains one team, former Rider Chris Getzlaf leads the other. Former Roughriders Andy Fantuz, Jason Clermont will be on the ice with NHL alumni such as Joe Kocur, Mike Sillinger and Luke Gadzic. Lauther, a Truro, Nova Scotia product, had this take on the CFLers on skates. “There are some guys who will surprise you and some guys who will make you laugh.”

The 2024 Winter Classic raised $75,000 to support the Win With Wellness initiative. “This was Brett’s (Lauther) idea, and we ran with it”, said Roughrider Foundation Executive Director, Cindy Fuchs. “Our players have been to 51 schools in the last two months delivering key messages to kids all over Saskatchewan on mental health. This game helps support that.”

Players are trained, then follow a curriculum that is designed for students from grade four to grade nine. “It’s knowing you have to take care of yourself first and foremost”, said Lauther. “For us we deal with the same things they deal with. We’re trying to pass on that message that they are never alone.”

The Winter Classic promises to be a family fun event. Fuchs also confirmed that Gainer will be in attendance although the Roughrider mascot will not be on skates. “He’d love to”, joked Fuchs. “He can’t play that level of hockey.”

Fans will have an opportunity to meet their favourite players after the game. Tickets for The Winter Classic are available at riderville.com/winterclassic.

wray.morrison@pattisonmedia.com

X: @wraymorrison

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