31st Annual Westmount Old Timers Hockey Tournament

From December 1 to 4, 2022 at the Westmount Recreation Center ("WRC")

The Westmount Old Timers Hockey Tournament ("Tournament") was initiated in 1989 by Members of the Senior Westmount Allstar Team ("SWAT") to bring together teams from various regions to compete in a friendly Charity Tournament. The idea was inspired by Nicolas W. Matossian, a young patient at the Montreal Children’s Hospital ("MCH") diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, who, believing in the urgent need to fight pediatric cancer, wanted to make a difference and with his friends organized two golf tournaments that in his remaining lifetime raised over $50,000.

Spurred by his example, SWAT Members decided that they too could organize a fundraiser and make a difference, and thus the Tournament was born.

The Tournament's objective has always been to contribute "to the acquisition of Neuro-Surgical Equipment and to Research in pediatric brain cancer". Over the years, it has contributed to the acquisition of essential surgery/imaging equipment,to palliative care, microbiology, hemo-oncology and, equally important, to the current Research Programs for Pediatric brain tumors at the MCH and Hopital Ste-Justine. Some of the donations to the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation may be used to augment the Nicolas W. Matossian Endowment Fund, a perpetual endowment whose yearly revenues are distributed as required by its mandate, solely for the acquisition of advanced neuro surgical equipment and for research into pediatric brain cancer.

Since its modest beginnings over 30 years ago, the Tournament has grown into a significant Westmount Community event, attracting Teams from many Quebec Municipalities, from Ontario and from the USA. This has all been possible thanks to the sustained support of the City of Westmount and the WRC, as well as the backing of lots of volunteers, merchants, parents, and donors. The Tournament has also been a consistent donor to the children's hospitals, ranking as one of the longest annual significant donors to them, expanding its scope and donations each year with the intent to continue this expansion as it shifts into the hands of a new generation.

After a hiatus due to the pandemic, the Tournament made its return last year. However, it had to be reduced in size due to the restrictions set in place. We all know that during that waiting period the Hospitals' resources were severely hampered and that an interruption in funding would adversely affect our fight against cancer. SWAT Members considered it essential to keep the Tournament's fundraising going – even at a reduced size.

This year, we are back in full swing, and we are looking forward to resuming a full-sized Tournament and catching up. The success of our Fundraising depends on every player and on the support that the Sponsors will give them. As our health system is trying to rise out of a very difficult and taxing few years, we cannot emphasize enough the importance of being able to resume our contribution to the purchase of neuro surgical equipment and to the advancement of pediatric brain tumor research.

The fundraising responsibility will be borne by each player participant and Team by way of a sponsorship system accessible to donors on the MCH Foundation website, with each player able to solicit donors ("Sponsors") to make their donations directly on the website in the name of the chosen player. Income tax receipts will be issued to Sponsors.

Cancer does not await the resolution of a pandemic: to win the battle, we must now redouble our efforts and be certain that all our contributions have and will continue to make a difference. Let us unite and give in the knowledge that the care given through our donations will bring greater comfort to afflicted children, will reassure their parents and will bring us ever closer to a cure.

Thank you for your generosity!