Winterland Invitational returning to support valuable cause with 40 team tournament

Image: The Lakeland Jaguars faces off against Fort McMurray during Winterland Invitational action at the RJ Lalonde in February 2020.

Forty minor hockey teams are preparing to come to the Lakeland area for a massive charity tournament.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities 5th annual Winterland Invitational tournament hopes to raise $165,000 over the Family Day long weekend.

The main proponent of the Ronald McDonald House is to provide a comfortable place for families to stay during their child’s treatment of disease, which many families from the Lakeland area have used.

A group of U9, U11, and U13 teams will play games in Bonnyville, Cold Lake, and Elk Point, over the course of three days, from Feb. 16-18.

“The Winterland Invitational is an important part of our fundraising initiatives across the province,” says Oreen Skiba, Manager of Events at RMHC Alberta, in a press release.

“The teams fundraise together, the parents and fans participate in raffles and a 50/50, and the overall awareness creates important donations for RMHC Alberta. On top of all of this, RMHC Alberta serves over 1,200 families annually and amongst the teams we always hear about how their family, or a family friend stayed at a Ronald McDonald House.”

One of the hallmarks of the tournament is the red and white striped socks donned by each of the players.

Local businesses will also benefit. With 720 athletes coming to the region, hotels, restaurants, and rinks will be rather busy over the course of the weekend.

“The RMHC Alberta Winterland Invitational is so much more than an important fundraising event for an  incredible cause, it is an economic driver for our region and provides a boost for many local businesses,” said Bonnyville & District Chamber of Commerce executive director Serina Parsons, in a press release. 

“Of course we love when our arenas are full and the spirit of hockey takes over, but we also love busy  restaurants, full hotels and rented venues. It’s important to consider the impacts events such as this have on the entire community, so please support this important initiative.”

Spectators can purchase a 50/50 ticket or go online to support the cause.

Figures say that one in four families are aware of the Ronald McDonald house or have used the house, an impetus for many to come year after year to the tournament.

There are four houses located in Edmonton, Calgary, Medicine Hat, and Red Deer.

Residents are invited to take in the hockey action during the Family Day long weekend.