Portraits of Honour Foundation hosted a charity hockey game on Friday in which Toronto Maple Leaf alumni players faced off against first responders to raise money for police officers and military with PTSD.
The event took place at the Galt Arena Gardens in Cambridge, Ont., where almost 1,000 attendees got the chance to watch their favourite NHL players of the past face off in a game of hockey.
Dave Sopha, founder of Portraits of Honour, said the event was aimed at raising awareness of PTSD in first responders, all while bringing the community together for a friendly game of hockey.
Noah Taylor gets his jersey signed by Toronto Maple Leaf alum Gary Leeman during a VIP meet-and-greet. (Kaitlyn Mullin/ Spoke News) 
Rick Vaive signs a fans jersey during a VIP meet-and-greet. (Kaitlyn Mullin/ Spoke News) 
Rick Vaive signs a fan’s jersey during a VIP meet-and-greet. (Kaitlyn Mullin/ Spoke News) 
Our Nation’s Heroes team waits at their bench for the start of the game. (Kaitlyn Mullin/ Spoke News) 
Jean-Sebastien Aubin stands outside the Leafs bench waiting for the second period to begin. (Kaitlyn Mullin/ Spoke News) 
Dave Sopha presents a painting to Linda Orr of her husband, Paul, who passed away in 2016. (Kaitlyn Mullin/ Spoke News) 
Dave Sopha hugs Linda Orr, who received a painting of her husband, Paul, who passed away in 2016. (Kaitlyn Mullin/ Spoke News) 
Cambridge Mayor Kathryn McGarry and Portraits of Honour founder Dave Sopha pose with the recipient of a painting at the hockey game. (Kaitlyn Mullin/ Spoke News) 
Cambridge MP Bryan May, Dave Sopha, founder of Portraits of Honour, and Mayor Kathryn McGarry pose for a photo at the event. (Kaitlyn Mullin/ Spoke News)
“Just to bring it into our community, I think is wonderful,” said Sopha. “The mayor is excited, all the regional councillors, MPs and that, so it’s kind of nice.”
Former Toronto Maple star Rick Vaive said that it was exciting to be back on the ice.
“I love it. It’s a lot of fun. Especially these ones, with people who do so much for the country and help people. It’s a no brainer,” said Vaive.
Although the Maple Leafs took the game 13-9, Vaive said that the first responders put up a good fight.
“We got a pretty good skilled team here today. Normally there are times where we have teams where all the guys are 55 or older and they’re not quite as fast or good,” said Vaive.
“But we got a younger team and a little faster, so we’re giving them a hard time, but we’re trying to let them stay in the game and make it exciting.”
