OHL clubs to compete for Moustache Cup throughout Movember
TORONTO — Ontario Hockey League (OHL) clubs will compete throughout November for the Moustache Cup, a Movember fundraising challenge that crowns the top fundraising team in the OHL and in the Western Hockey League (WHL), with proceeds supporting men’s health programs including Breaking the Ice, a mental fitness program for young hockey players.
All 20 OHL clubs will turn the league’s usual competitive edge into a month-long push for men’s health — growing Mos, engaging fans and raising funds for Movember, the leading men’s health charity focused on mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer. At the end of the month, the top fundraising team in each league will be crowned Moustache Cup champion.
The challenge builds on the OHL’s partnership with Movember, announced in September, that brought Breaking the Ice into all 20 OHL clubs. Funds raised through the Moustache Cup help support that work: Breaking the Ice, part of Movember’s global Ahead of the Game program, gives young players, coaches and parents practical tools to build mental fitness, recognize when someone may be struggling and have conversations that can make a difference. Delivered in partnership with the WHL and OHL, the program has reached more than 3,000 participants in community hockey — well ahead of its initial target of 1,100.
This November also marks Movember’s 20th annual campaign in Canada. Since launching here in 2007, Movember has brought communities together to raise funds, start important conversations and take action for men’s health. The need remains urgent: Canadian men live, on average, around four years less than women, with many of the causes of premature death being preventable.
“Hockey has always been about looking out for the guy beside you, and the Moustache Cup puts that same spirit to work for men’s health,” said OHL commissioner Bryan Crawford. “Our clubs love a little friendly rivalry, and if that helps raise funds and get conversations started this Movember, everybody wins.”
“Too many men are dying too young, often from preventable causes, and the impact of poor men’s health extends far beyond the individual to families and communities,” said Todd Minerson, country director for Movember Canada. “Hockey has a unique way of bringing people together and opening the door to conversations that might not happen anywhere else. Through the Moustache Cup, OHL and WHL teams are using that connection to raise funds and awareness for men’s health, while helping create a culture where young men feel more comfortable talking about their health and looking out for one another.”
Fans, players, staff and communities can support their club’s Movember campaign by getting involved, fundraising and donating. Donation Link Here
Breaking the Ice is designed to help change the culture around mental health in hockey. It encourages young men to look out for one another, open up about what they’re going through and understand that asking for help is a sign of strength.
About Movember
Movember is the leading global movement working to change the face of men’s health.
Since 2003, Movember’s community has raised almost $2 billion CAD, funding over 1,320 projects in mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer.
Committed to redefining the future of men’s health, Movember works alongside community members and expert partners to drive innovative research and scale evidence-based programs that address the most complex challenges facing boys, men and society today.
To learn more, please visit Movember.com.
