Junior hockey raises money for SOY

Toronto Marlboros stage promotion with gay hockey group

The Toronto Marlboros junior hockey team is offering a deal with the Canadian Gay Shinny Association (CGSA) that will raise money for Supporting our Youth (SOY).

For every $25 ticket bought through CGSA for the Marlies’ Sat, Jan 24 American Hockey League game against the Chicago Wolves, five dollars will be donated to SOY.

CGSA will also stage two shinny games that same day on the Marlies’ home ice at Ricoh Coliseum. Tickets to play in a shinny game cost $35 and include attendance at the Marlies’ game that evening.

Tickets to the game can be purchased at Priape (501 Church St) or through the Marlies’ box office at (416) 263-3910. If you mention you’re buying the ticket as part of the Hockey Night-Out in Canada promotion, the money will be donated to SOY. Tickets to play in a shinny game can be purchased by contacting Dan Corby of CGSA at (416) 357-5179.

Corby says CGSA raised $500 for SOY last year through one shinny game. He hope to sell 300 to 400 tickets to the Marlies’ game.

The Marlies are owned by Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), which also owns the Toronto Maple Leafs. Corby says the promotion shows how far hockey has progressed.

“The old guard in MLSE is basically moving on and there’s new guys who see us a business like they do everyone else,” says Corby. “It’s not about sexuality, it’s not about homophobia. It’s amazing how far it’s come.”

Krishna Rau

Krishna Rau is a Toronto-based freelance writer with extensive experience covering queer issues.

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