Annual hockey tournament shoots for more doctors in the Sault

Organizers of the 17th annual ‘Bring a Doctor Home’ hockey tournament are aiming to eclipse a significant fundraising milestone when Algoma Steel employees, retirees, and community partners hit the ice for some winter fun next week.

Raising more than $460,000 for Northern Ontario School of Medicine bursaries since 2006, participating players have been collecting and contributing pledges for the school’s graduating students who have ties to Sault Ste. Marie or the Algoma District.

The funding helps new physicians cover part of their outstanding education fees while encouraging them to practice in the Sault.

Beyond proud of their nearly two decades of fundraising efforts, tournament director Frank DeMarco has his eyes set on surpassing the $500,000 mark following the end of this year's event. 

“I get pretty emotional when I think about it,” he told SooToday. “We run the largest private community fundraiser for NOSM, so it’s pretty grand. No one has raised more than us.”

Featuring more than 450 participants across 27 teams, this year’s tournament includes a brand-new division called the “City Division.” The four-team group features members of Sault Police, Fire, and Paramedic Services, as well as doctors – including ones who have directly benefitted from the bursary.

“This division is connected by the services they provide in the community, and they’ll play against each other in the tournament,” DeMarco said. “We have three doctors who play on the doctors’ team and are past recipients, so we’re seeing the benefit right in front of us.”

“I’ve had people come up to me and say, ‘Thank you – I have a doctor now because of this.’ It’s so special,” he added. “It took me some to realize this isn’t just about hockey. We’re making a real difference here.”

As of last year, five previous recipients of the bursary were practicing in the Sault.

The tournament begins Monday night at the John Rhodes Arena for a 5 p.m. ceremonial faceoff with Algoma Steel CEO Michael Garcia. Residents are invited to cheer the teams on between Monday and Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Semifinals take place on Friday night and finals on Saturday afternoon.

Admission is by donation, and all proceeds go to fund scholarships for NOSM.

“Algoma Steel, the community, and all our sponsors have been very generous,” DeMarco said. “We can’t wait to see everybody out participating; the doctors really appreciate it.”