BURSTJust one month after thieves made off with nearly $3,500 worth of hockey gear belonging to the South Island Ravens, the hockey community helped turn a frustrating loss into one of the program’s most memorable days.
On Tuesday, Ravens players were invited to Marilena Cafe for another show of community support.
Vancouver Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini, joined by former Canucks forwards Stan Smyl and Darcy Rota, presented the Ravens with a $10,000 cheque through the Canucks for Kids Fund.
The Canucks also plan to host the Ravens at a home game in March, when the team will be on the mainland for a tournament hosted by the Surrey Stingrays.
For Ravens co-founder and general manager Gus Ascroft, the moment was overwhelming.
“We were totally overwhelmed,” Ascroft said. “We’ve run this program on $25 to $50 donations for 13 years, just trying to get the kids on the ice every season. This support is going to help us so much. And for our kids to be recognized like this means everything. They show up every week, they work hard, they do their best. Seeing them celebrated is fantastic.”
Ascroft started the Ravens in 2012 with his wife Wendy and daughter Georgia.
The team welcomes players of all ages with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Without the program, many simply wouldn’t have a place in the sport.
“None of these kids would fit into mainstream hockey without our program,” he said. “The friendships that have formed, the skills they’ve gained, and the community that’s grown out of this… it’s incredible.”
The theft occurred sometime between Sept. 28 and Oct. 19, when someone broke into a locked storage room at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre and took junior and goalie skates, team jackets, and two full sets of goalie equipment, totaling roughly $3,500.
Once the RCMP news release went out, Ascroft’s phone didn’t stop.
“Within hours of the press release, my phone was ringing nonstop,” he said. “The Canucks reached out right away and said they wanted to help. I told them that with all the donations coming in, we had most of the equipment covered. And they said, ‘That’s not enough. We want to do more.’ Well, as you can see, they did a lot more.”
For players like Lexi Moore, the day felt like a complete turnaround from how their month began.
“It’s so exciting,” she said. “When we first heard about the theft, it was like… why would someone do that? We didn’t do anything wrong. We’re just kids with a disability, and there wasn’t anything we could do about it. But then hearing the Canucks were donating, everything changed. Now we get to go to a Canucks game. It’s amazing.”
Her teammate and friend Ayden Gee said the support still feels unreal.
“It’s really cool that the Canucks are supporting us,” he said. “And going to a Canucks game in March is going to be so much fun.”
Both started playing with the Ravens in January of last year and just played their first game.
“Yeah, we played our first game Sunday,” Gee said. “I got two assists.” Moore added, smiling: “I got two goals.”
Ascroft said the support will stretch far beyond equipment.
“We can help parents with travel now, things like that,” he said. “It takes a lot of pressure off families.”
For Aquilini, the decision to step in was immediate.
“When I heard about what happened, I knew we had to do something to help,” he said. “Hockey teaches belonging, confidence, and teamwork. Every kid deserves the chance to feel that. I know firsthand what it takes to run a program like this, and this donation will help ensure players can continue participating in tournaments and experiences with the right equipment and fewer obstacles.”
The Ravens play every Sunday at the Juan de Fuca Arena between 11 a.m and 1 p.m.