For 20 years Innisfail residents have shown their support for Dean Turnquist and his road hockey tournament that raises money for a great cause.
This year the 21st Annual Dean Turnquist Spring Fever Tournament runs April 30 to May 1 at the Innisfail Arena.
The local community first rallied to support Turnquist after a serious accident where he lost a leg when he was 18, and again five years later when he lost sight in his right eye while playing ice hockey at the Innisfail Arena.
Several friends decided to put a road hockey tournament together to help Turnquist with living expenses and other costs while he recovered. The first tournament was held in 1996 in Innisfail.
“This will be the 21st year for the tournament,” said Turnquist. “The first year they had about 13 teams and had a little three-on-three road hockey action up at the Highwayman Inn (in the parking lot).”
The inaugural event was such a success that they decided to hold it again the following year, but this time put the money towards helping underprivileged children.
“I've played sports my whole life and sports has had a huge influence on me,” said Turnquist, noting the lifelong friendships he's made playing sports and the memorable experiences he had growing up. “We wanted to make sure that other kids get to experience the things that I experienced as a kid. We came up with this idea to call it the Helping Hand Fund,” explained Turnquist. “All the money that we raise from our road hockey tournament goes into the Helping Hand Fund, which supports underprivileged kids in sports in our community.”
Over the past two decades thousands of dollars have been raised to help local kids.
“Last year we raised about 7,000 or 8,000 dollars and after expenses at the end of the day, I think we put about 3,000 dollars into the fund,” he said, adding that the tournament is open to both adults and youth.
“In the seventh or eighth year we moved to the Arena and we put on a kids' event. That kids' event started with maybe 12 teams and last year we had 30 kids' teams, plus the adult teams,” said Turnquist, noting the adult tournament is set for all day Saturday while the kids' tournament runs all day Sunday.
“It means the world to me. This (fundraising) event is very near and dear to my heart,” he said, noting the important role volunteers, friends and family play in the success of the tournament every year, along with help from other local sports organizations.
“I don't do this alone. I often get the accolades, but it really is the group (organizing committee and volunteers) that's behind it,” he said. “Without their help this tournament would not happen.”
On Saturday following the adult tournament, participants and the community can enjoy a tournament windup party with musical guest, The Klam Daggers, at the Innisfail Royal Canadian Legion.
“For the participants it's free and it's only $10 for the rest of the community,” said Turnquist. “You can come to the legion, see a live band and support a great cause.”
For more information visit www.deanturnquist.ca/springfevertournament
Dean Turnquist
"All the money that we raise from our road hockey tournament goes into the Helping Hand Fund which supports underprivileged kids in sports in our community."
