OHL Officials Riding to Conquer Cancer

Tuesday June 3, 2014

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League is proud to announce that a team of OHL Officials will be participating in the 2014 Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer June 7-8.

 

The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer is a 200km cycling journey over two days from Toronto to Niagara with funds raised to benefit the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre which is one of the top five cancer research centres in the world. 

 

‘OHL Team 21’ consisting of 18 OHL Officials have committed to the challenging ride in honour of longtime Officiating Supervisor Ken Bodendistel who passed away in November at the age of 73 after a courageous battle with cancer. 

 

“We are riding in Ken’s honour,” said Conrad Hache, OHL Director of Officiating and captain of OHL Team 21. “It’s an emotionally filled day. Everyone wants to know why you’re riding and we’ll all be honoured to tell Ken’s story and also the stories of the ones we are all individually riding for.  This has been an amazing challenge for all of us.”

 

The team will proudly be sporting their stripes throughout the ride with special jerseys designed for the event including the words “Whistles to Wheels” across the chest in addition to the OHL logo and a “KB” patch stitched on the shoulder.  OHL Officials wore a similar shoulder patch on the left sleeve of their sweaters in memory of Bodendistel during the second half of the 2013-14 OHL season.

 

This season marked Bodendistel’s 40th in the OHL beginning as a Supervisor in 1974-75.  His career also included a 12-year term as the league’s Director of Officiating from 1982-94 and most recently serving as Senior Officiating Manager for the past five seasons.  In August, the Board of Governor’s also established a new award for League on-ice officials entitled “The Bodie”, recognizing Ken for his contributions in the development of our League, particularly for his leadership, management and growth of our on-ice officials.

 

‘Bodie’ demonstrated passion, leadership and professionalism and was respected by OHL Member Teams and the many officials that he mentored throughout the years.

 

Fundraising efforts for the ride have included individual donations and an OHL Officials Charity Golf Tournament with all proceeds from the event and silent auction put towards OHL Team 21’s team fund.

 

To date, OHL Team 21 has already raised over $40,000 approaching their initial goal of raising over $53,000.

 

Click here to view the team page for OHL Team 21 and to make a donation.

 

Since 2008, The Ride has surpassed all other cycling events to become Canada’s most successful cycling fundraiser. Raising over $99.3 million in Ontario alone, proceeds will support breakthrough research, exemplary teaching, and compassionate care at Princess Margaret supporting their vision of Personalized Cancer Medicine – a multi-faceted, integrated approach to cancer care that focuses on the unique nature of each patient: “Finding the right treatment for the right patient, at the right time.”