'It's a No Brainer': Maple Leafs' Tavares and Giordano Take Part in Canada's Largest Charity Hockey Fundraiser
John Tavares and Mark Giordano were among a number of NHLers participating in the second annual Hockey Night in Brampton.
It was a star-studded night in Brampton, Ontario, on Wednesday as the hockey community came together to help raise funds to build a second hospital in the city.
The City of Brampton and William Osler Health System Foundation welcomed several former and current NHL players to the CAA Center for an evening of hockey.
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"It's a no-brainer," Tavares said ahead of the second annual Hockey Night in Brampton.
"I was very fortunate to (have) my family, my parents, and being around my Uncle John — and my overall family in general — just how important giving back was and recognizing the people that help contribute to where you get to, especially the journey that I've had to this point has been really special.
"It's made a tremendous impact on me and so many people have been a part of that, so many different communities, especially the opportunity that I have just getting to play for the Maple Leafs, getting to be the captain, and knowing how much good you can do."
While Tavares and Mark Giordano were the lone current Maple Leafs participating in the event, there were also some alumni, both playing and coaching. Former Maple Leafs Shayne Corson and Nik Antropov participated in the game while Wendel Clark and Doug Gilmour coached the two teams.
"I had a great minor hockey experience in Toronto, but I played for the Brampton Capitals growing up, so I have a little bit of experience, skated a ton in Brampton over my career in the summers," Giordano said on Wednesday night.
"(I'm) excited to be here to support a great cause, and I didn't know I was going to be against Johnny as a captain against him, but looking forward to kicking some butt because of that."
And kicking butt (raising money for charity) is what the event did.
The City of Brampton and William Osler Health System raised over $1 million on Wednesday night.
"Thank you Brampton for your support of this successful event that raised an extraordinary $1,000,000 towards building Brampton's 2nd Hospital," Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said.
"Thank you to all our volunteers and corporate sponsors for their support tonight of the 2nd annual Hockey Night in Brampton. We set a Canadian record tonight for the largest charity hockey fundraiser."
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Along with raising money for a second hospital in Brampton, the city also made a $100,000 donation to the John Tavares Foundation.
"Thank you to Hockey Night in Brampton and to all the fans that have supported our foundation," the John Tavares Foundation wrote in an Instagram post.
"Without your generosity, the impact we are making would not be possible. Excited to share all the great projects we have coming up and making an even larger impact this year. Let’s create brighter futures."
Capping off the night of good news was the Maple Leafs signing Auston Matthews to a four-year extension which carries a $13.25 million AAV.
Tavares, who spoke to the media prior to Wednesday's event in Brampton, didn't even know the 25-year-old signed prior to entering the CAA Center.
"Just from training to, I had another commitment with the foundation which was great, that we did with Toronto Community Housing, and then just chasing my two boys around, and the third one is getting bigger by the day," Tavares said with a grin.
"It's been non-stop, but can't beat it. And then being told that Auston signed, that's the cherry on top."
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