Local Military & First Responders Playing In The Highway Of Heroes Hockey Game

Pete Fisher
5 years ago
• Categories: Upcoming Events

A Northumberland OPP officer, Cobourg firefighter along with a Durham Police Officer and multiple Canadian Armed Forces members from The Hastings Prince Edward Regiment are participating in Highway of Heroes Hockey game taking place at the Leon’s Centre in Kingston on November 2, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.

Approximately 65 service men and women and 30 children of service men and women are participating in this event that is centered around Mental Health for Military, Veterans, First Responders and their family members.

The following Toronto Maple Leaf Alumni will be in attendance
BORSCHEVSKY, Nikolai
CAPUTI, Luca
CLARK, Wendel
DOREY, Jim (Coach)
KOSTKA, Mike
KRUSHELNYSKI, Mike
LAFRATE, Al
LAFOREST, Mark (Goalie)
McCAULEY, Alyn
McCLEMENT, Jay
McGILL, Bob
VAIVE, Rick
ZIGOMANIS, Mike

Playing against the Highway of Heroes Hockey Team made up of Military, Veterans and First Responders
BALTZER, David- Veteran
BANHAM, Colin- Canadian Armed Forces
BRYDGES, Jeff- First Responder
CAWLEY, James- Veteran (Team Captain)
EVANS, Eric- Veteran
FITZGERALD, Collin- Veteran
GARLOUGH, Nicole- Canadian Armed Forces
GERMAIN, Jessie Canadian Armed Forces
GILLOTT, Mark- First Responder
HOUSE, Matt- Canadian Armed Forces (Assistant Coach)
ISBISTER, Ryan- Veteran- Goalie
IZZARD, Sean –Veteran
JOHNSTON, Darren- US Marine Corp Veteran
KELLAR, Eric- First Responder- Goalie
McARTHUR, Jay- Veteran
MORIN, Christine- Veteran (Assistant Captain)
PENTNEY, Bill- Veteran (Coach)
POST, Chris- First Responder
RICHARD, Mike- Canadian Armed Forces
ROULEAU, Pat- Canadian Armed Forces
RUSTE NBURG, Melanie- Canadian Armed Forces
SIOPKAS, Chris- First Responder – Goalie
SOVA, Pete- Veteran (Assistant Captain)
Playing on the Toronto Maple Leaf Alumni Team:
BAIRD, Rob- First Responder
GILCHRIST, Derek- Canadian Armed Forces
DAWE, Lucas
McCAULEY, Renn

The last five minutes of the first and second period, Junior Highway of Heroes Hockey Teams will play against the Toronto Maple Leaf Alumni. The Junior Teams are made up of Military, Veterans and First Responders children.
First Period
FIRTH, Hayley
FITZGERALD, Peyton
KLODT, Jonathan
KLODT, Cameron
McCANN, Lawson
McKILLEN, Liam
RODGERS, Brandon
SIOPKAS, Neko
SMITHERS, Ben- Team Captain
SMITHERS, Jack- Assistant Captain
SMITHERS, Carter- Assistant Captain
WHELAN,Lauch
WHELAN,Kade
WHALEY, Quintin
McSTRAVICK,Lyric
Second Period
ANDERSON, Peyton
BEGIN, Nathan
DULLEGE, Madison
DULLEGE, Logan
HARDY, Colton
HARDY, Keigan
LAROCQUE, Ewan
MAGIL, Aubrey
PAQUETTE, Edouard
PIPER-SPIERS, Robin
SAULNIER, Keelan
STACHOW, Jelena
SHAVER, Jack
TRUDEL, Aurelie

The Highway of Heroes Hockey Game Referees are Canadian Armed Forces members and Veterans – Mitch Monette, Don Fields, Sean Francis, Nic Cook, Kevin Cardinal and Ryan Mitchell with Jeff Johnson keeping score.

Flag bearers during the opening Ceremony will be Canadian Armed Forces members from The Hastings Prince Edward Regiment- Regimental Sergeant Major Dean Stokes and Sergeant Castell.

In the concourse of the Leon’s Center at The Highway of Heroes Hockey Game benefiting Kingston 4 Paws Service Dogs. Kingston 4 Paws Service Dogs charity organization.

Kingston 4 Paws Service Dogs provides trained service dogs and their continued handling support to physically and emotionally challenged persons and their families, assisting them to become more independent in their Southeastern Ontario communities.

There will be over two dozen organizations dedicated to the Mental and Physical Wellbeing of Military, Veterans, First Responders and their family members to share what they are doing for the Veteran Community:
Big Heart Equestrian
Broadmind
Cadence Health And Wellness
Canadian Heroes vehicle -CH14
Canadian Military Wives Choirs
CannaConnect
Camp FACES
Camp Maple Leaf
Fortius Health
Gallant Knights
Helping Heroes Heal
Immerse Wellness Center
Kingston 4 Paws Service Dogs
Kingston Military Family Resource Center
Mercury Strength and Conditioning
Military Minds
Princess of Wales’ Own Regiment Recruitment
Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry Association
Project Trauma Support
Renos For Heroes
Respect Forum
Schneider Ride of Pride truck
Soxxnsoles
Spartan Wellness
Team Rubicon
The Live Well Center
The Memory Project
The North Wall Riders Association
The Singing Soldiers
To The Stan and Back
Quilt of Valour
Veterans Affairs Canada
Veterans Helping Veteran
Veteran Transition Network
Warrior Adventures Canada
Wounded Warriors Canada

Cobourg firefighter Chris Post is representing Cobourg Fire Department on the Highway of Heroes Team battling it out against Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni. Post has been a firefighter for 23-years with Cobourg Fire Department. “I’m honoured to represent the Cobourg Fire Department at the Highway of Heroes Hockey game.

As a member of the Fire Department we’ve stood many times on bridges overlooking the Highway of Heroes as fallen heroes and their families pass by Cobourg,” said Post. “To be on a team with soldiers and veterans and fellow First Responders from Northumberland is something I’m very much looking forward too.”

Anne Henderson is the daughter of the late William James Henderson and the Highway of Heroes Hockey Game is being dedicated to the Honourable Judge Henderson.

The Honourable Judge William James Henderson was a three-term Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands, a former Ontario Supreme Court Justice, a renowned philanthropist, an advisor to politicians and a decorated War Veteran. Judge Henderson enlisted in the Canadian Forces in 1939, transferred to the Royal Canadian Corps of Signalers in 1942.

He served in England, Italy, France, Belgium, Germany and Holland as an Intelligence Officer.

He was injured in the war, underwent extensive surgery and was discharged in 1946, but served in the Canadian Army Reserves until 1952. Among his numerous honours, Judge Henderson was most proud of those associated with Military service.

While his official service ended in 1952, his loyalty to the military did not end. Years after he left the Canadian Armed Forces, Judge Henderson, by then a member of the provincial legislature, fought for Veterans, fought for the Legion, and fought for the Canadian Armed Forces.

In the 1990s, he supported the Royal Canadian Legion’s appeal for pension increases, and he was the moving force behind the Military Communications and Electronics Museum, Canadian Forces Base Kingston, paying tribute to our Signalers.

Judge Henderson known as the Founder of Amherstview, passed away on May 15 2006. He is admired and deeply respected for the service he gave our country, our Canadian Armed Forces and our future.

US Marine Corp Veteran- Corporal (retired) Darren Johnston is fourth generation of service to country.

Having dual citizenship in the USA and an Indigenous First Nations Canadian, Johnston enlisted with the US Marine Corp right out of high school and served in Operation Desert Storm.

When he moved back to Canada after being raised in the USA, Johnston continued a life of service and has been working in Corrections for the past 25 years.

His grandmother, Louise McLeod is a 1972 Silver Cross Mother having sons buried in both Italy and France. Johnston thoughts on life, “Love your country. Serve your country. Fight for your country. Be brave, not physically but morally and live your life with passion”

“We will Remember & Honour Major Michelle Knight Mendes at the Inaugural 2019 Highway of Heroes Hockey Team made up of Military, Veterans and First Responders playing against the Toronto Maple Leaf Alumni on the 10th year after her passing” Tadeu stated.

In November 2016, Corporal Nick Kerr, Master Corporal (retired) Collin Fitzgerald and Kerri Tadeu adopted a 1.18 kilometer stretch of the Highway of Heroes in Grafton in honour of Tadeu’s friend Major Michelle Knight Mendes who was the 118th soldier carried home from the Afghanistan War.

Shortly after, the trio adopted the entire 344 kilometers of the Highway of Heroes (172 km East and 172 km West) as an initiative to combat the epidemic of suicide amongst Military, Veterans and First Responders by bringing the Veteran Community together and cleaning a sacred stretch of Canadian soil where 158 Soldiers from the Afghanistan War were repatriated home and moving their pain into purpose.

Their adoption is rooted 95% in Mental Health and 5% in garbage collection.

In their third year of cleaning the Highway of Heroes twice a year- weeks leading up to National Day of Honour on May 9 and weeks leading up to Remembrance Day on November 11, Major Michelle Knight Mendes’ life and death is always Remembered and Military, Veterans, First Responders,

Families of the Fallen Soldiers and people who care about these people have travelled as far away as Montreal, Cornwall, Ottawa, Kingston, Niagara Falls, Plattsville, Guelph and everywhere in between to clean the Highway of Heroes that stretches from Trenton to Keele Street in Toronto.

Under the Highway of Heroes Adoption Corporal Nick Kerr, Master Corporal (retired) Collin Fitzgerald and Kerri Tadeu have created numerous Highway of Heroes initiatives to affect change in the Veteran Community that include:

– Certifying 156 individuals in Mental Health First Aid secondary to Veterans Affairs Canada covering the cost of the courses for the Veteran Community

– Running a CannaConnect sponsored Hits For Heroes Softball Game supporting Reno’s For Heroes

– Creating a Highway of Heroes Round of Golf with Professional Golfer Todd Keirstead who donates his time and talent on the green with Military, Veterans and First Responders under his Bring Back the Game Program

– Donating over to $800 to MADD Canada from returning the empty alcohol containers collected on the Highway of Heroes on and off ramps during the Spring and Fall Cleans to the beer store to bring awareness that people are drinking and driving on North America’s busiest Highway.

Inspired by the grassroots Highway of Heroes Adoption –where close to 1400 bags of garbage have been collected a number of individuals and organizations have stepped forward in creative ways to support the Highway of Heroes Adoption that is rooted 95% in Mental Health and 5% in garbage collection.

– Cannaconnect reimburses the volunteers gas money during every Spring and Fall Clean of the Highway of Heroes.

– Cobourg resident, Lorna Dickson nick named the “Highway of Heroes Earth Angel” is responsible for raising over $16,000 which was donated between Project Trauma Support and To The Stan & Back as an Acts of Remembrance in honouring Major Michelle Knight Mendes life and contributing to her to her legacy

– Born and raised in Cornwall, Ontario, Ian Callan teaches Physical Education and was inspired to create a 158 km Highway of Heroes “HonouRun” by his students’ exceptional dedication to honouring the best of our society for their sacrifices.

While dedicating the run to Fallen heroes, surviving Veterans, Military members and First Responders, Ian wishes to also bring attention to Mental Health issues that go along with the job of protecting our freedom and keeping Canadians safe.

Ian is a 4-time Boston Marathon Marathoner and has completed several ultra-marathons, recently finishing a 100 mile race in the Gatineau Hills of Quebec.

Supporting To The Stan and Back which supports Military, Veterans and First Responders to receive Mental Health treatment at Project Trauma Support, Ian ran 58 km in the Cornwall area with the Cornwall Multisport Club on October 26 and starting November 1 2019 at 9 pm he will run 100 km from Trenton to the Leon’s Center in memory of the 158 Fallen Soldier from the Afghanistan War starting at the 401 and Glen Miller Road in Trenton which is the first bridge on the Highway of Heroes.

– Spartan Wellness’ Act of Remembrance at the inaugural Highway of Heroes Hockey Game is gifting 158 Highway of Heroes Hockey Jersey’s to Military, Veterans and First Responders in the Veteran Community over the next three years Remembering the 158 Fallen Soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our Freedom and paying their respect to All That Gave Some and Some That Gave All to affect change in the lives of service men and women.

– Theresa Theriault and Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry Warrant Officer (retired) Bruce Frampton from BLT1189 also committed to donating Highway of Hockey jerseys to the Veteran Community

– Chris Brown at the Strathcona Paper Centre in Napanee and the City of Kingston provided a generous amount of ice time for the Highway of Heroes Hockey Team to practise. Their contribution to the Highway of Heroes Hockey Team is immeasurable.

– The Singing Soldiers, a musical band made up of Graham Trude, a Canadian Armed Forces Veteran and a current Canadian Armed Forces member Chris Earl, will be performing at the Highway of Heroes Hockey Game and donating a full concert at a pregame gathering at the Portuguese Cultural Centre of Kingston on Nov. 1 2019which begins at 5:30 p.m. thanks to Ana Correia-Fonseca and Susan Freitas for donating the space and supporting the Veteran Community.

“Our goal is to affect as many individuals as possible through our songs and stories to demolish the stigma surrounding Mental Health, Operational Stress injuries, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or whatever it may be that prevents great people from having great lives,” stated Earl. With the Singing Soldiers giving so much to this event – others stepped in to support them with CannaConnect reimbursing their gas expense to Kingston and Raj at the Super 8 Motel on Highway 2 generously providing accommodations for two nights for the entire band.

“There is a purity of purpose with the Highway of Heroes Adoption. The caliber of character of the people that are drawn to support the many moving parts of the Highway of Heroes Adoption that’s focused 95% in Mental Health and 5% in Garbage Collection have the same caliber of character as the people who were drawn to stand on the bridges and overpasses to share in the grief of a National when our Fallen Soldiers were repatriated home. I believe that the responsibility of caring for our ill and injured service men and women cannot rest solely on the shoulders of Veterans Affairs Canada and I am doing my part to help service men and women to help themselves with the Highway of Heroes Adoption with Corporal Nick Kerr and Master Corporal (retired) Collin Fitzgerald and working with the Leon’s Center has been exceptional in their understanding and commitment to support our Canadian Armed Forces member and First Responders ” stated Tadeu.

Voxxlife Independent Representative, Karen Smith who has a table set up at the event for Soxxnsoles stated “It is in the giving that we receive and my life has been immeasurably impacted from giving back to the Veteran Community.”

Smith is focused on the mental and physical wellness of our Military and First Responders and shares her VOXXLife Human Performance Technology socks that are neuro-technology to ‘help you be your best with your brain at rest’ with the Veteran Community. She has been supporting the Highway of Heroes Hockey Team since conception and going the extra mile attending their Team practices and supplying sliced oranges and Gatorade for the Military, Veterans and First Responders playing on the team.

During opening Ceremony the Highway of Heroes Adoption Four One Hundred & Fifty Eight in Honour of Major Michelle Knight Mendes Memorial will be on display at the Highway of Heroes Hockey Game. The Highway of Heroes Memorial globe created by metal artist Shawn Donnan and Kelly Baldock tells the grassroots story of how ordinary Canadians stood together in solidarity on the bridges from Trenton to Keele Street in Toronto to share in the families grief when Canada’s sons and daughters were carried home from Afghanistan. Corporal Nick Kerr, Master Corporal (retired) Collin Fitzgerald and Kerri Tadeu created The Highway of Heroes Memorial Globe to educate the general public about the Service and Sacrifices of Canadian Armed Forces service men and women which has traveled throughout Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.

Canadian Army Veteran Supporter- Gabby Koch will be singing the American National Anthem to welcome 200 Fort Drum, New York service men and women and their family members and The Military Wives Choir will be singing the Canadian National Anthem. Port Hope resident, Silver Cross Mothers Dianne Knight and Anna Loveman will be dropping the puck for this memory maker of a Mental Health gathering centered around a good old fashioned hockey game.

When one member of the family serves, the entire family serves and as token of appreciation for their service- Military, Veterans, First Responders and their family members received complimentary tickets to this nearly at capacity event.

The doors of the Leon’s Center open at 12: 00 p.m. The event is open to the public and tickets cost $10.00 plus service charges and fees.

There is a VIP meet and greet with food and beverages between 11:00 -12:00 p.m. Doors open at 10:45 a.m. for VIP guests. Cost for the VIP tickets will be $75.00 per person.