Annual CHL fan breakfast raises more than $12,100 for Royal Canadian Legion in Kelowna by the Canadian Hockey League
Photo credit: Steve Dunsmoor
The CHL fan breakfast has become synonymous with the Memorial Cup and in Kelowna, it reached new heights.
This year’s annual event raised $12,140, all of which will be donated to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 26.
“We are thrilled with today’s turnout and the generosity of the fans from across the CHL,” said Amber Shutsa, one of the event’s many organizers. “Without the fans and their donations this event wouldn’t be possible. It is an amazing feeling to be a part of such a fantastic group of Junior Hockey Fans that managed to raise $12,140 in less than four hours.”
The event included a full breakfast spread, a silent auction, a raffle for which more than 100 prizes were available and the chance to catch-up with friends from coast-to-coast.
“To me, it is one of the best things we do when we go to any of the Memorial Cup’s,” said Calgary, AB., native Addy Wyonch who has attended more than 10 Memorial Cup’s. “It raises money for the community and it’s an amazing event.
“This is my Memorial Cup family.”
The breakfast originated in 2006 when the Moncton Wildcats’ Booster Club hosted the first breakfast as a way for fans from across the CHL to get to know one another. Since then, the breakfast has been held 18 times.
After the 2008 event, fans decided they wanted to give back to the community hosting the Memorial Cup. Over the past six breakfasts’ alone, more than $45,000 has been donated back to local organizations in Halifax, Saint John, Kamloops, Saginaw, Rimouski and Kelowna.
For Suzanne Flewelling, who is the President of Guelph Storm trackers fan club, this year’s tournament is her sixth time at a Memorial Cup. But today was the first time she attended the CHL fan breakfast.
“It is absolutely fantastic and a great experience,” said the Guelph, ON,. native. “It’s so wonderful to see all the different teams … and meet so many people.”
And after her first taste of the event, she now can’t wait for the 2027 tournament in her hometown.
“It is going to be so fantastic.”
