The sixth annual Josh Morrissey Classic took place at Pine Ridge Golf Club just north of Winnipeg on Friday.
On Friday, Winnipeg Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey took to the links in an effort to help raise funds for The Dream Factory, by way of the sixth running of the Josh Morrissey Classic.
With 38 groupings of competitors, the always sold-out affair was held at Pine Ridge Golf Club in the rural municipality of Springfield, as a way of supporting Dream Families and Manitoban children suffering from life-threatening illnesses.
"Through my youth and childhood, I was blessed to be healthy and play hockey and have a comfortable lifestyle. So to see how these situations affect these kids, and at the end of the day they’re just kids smiling and happy and enjoying whatever they’re doing in the moment, it’s pretty inspiring really." - Josh Morrissey
Having raised over $650K for The Dream Factory over the past five years, Morrissey's 2022 event actually brought in nearly $200K on its own. 2023 was no different, as the funds continued to roll in for the Manitoba-based organization on Friday.
Relying solely on financial support within the community, The Dream Factory is anticipating meeting with over 60 families, in hopes of making dreams come true. Through the funds raised, The Dream Factory also provides access to funding to support costs associated with caring for a sick child, such as hospital parking, time off from work, additional childcare, groceries, etc.
Prior to the 2023 staple event, Morrissey spoke with Jets at Noon's Jim Toth and Cam Poitras about his beginnings with the charity.
"They are an amazing organization; the people that work for The Dream Factory are some of the most selfless and kind people that I’ve ever met," Morrissey said on Jets at Noon.
"When you see the kids and hear their stories and the family’s stories and the siblings' stories, I mean, that’s the kind of stuff that is so impactful. The stuff these kids, families and parents have to go through, it’s unimaginable. So, to be able to see them on their greatest day, that was really the thing that sold me at the beginning, on if I could handle it or not."
Initially attending teammate Mark Scheifele's annual golf tournament back when he was a member of the Manitoba Moose, Morrissey was approached to consider taking over the 'open' position previously held by former team captain Andrew Ladd. Although a bit hesitant, Morrissey obliged and has enjoyed every moment since.
"It’s such a great cause, and what they do is life-changing for families," Morrissey said on Jets at Noon. "But I just didn’t want to say yes if I didn’t think that I could fulfill what they needed out of somebody... I started on with them since basically my first year with the Jets, and now we’re going into year eight with me working with them, and the sixth golf classic as well."
"I’m passionate about the organization and working with them and I’m proud to be a small part of what they do."
When asked by Toth to reflect back upon some of the most memorable dreams that he has been a part of, Morrissey looked no further than that of Sidney Crosby.
Although not personally knowing Crosby at the time, Morrissey was able to give a young Manitoban the opportunity to have a meet and greet with his favourite player when the Pittsburgh Penguins rolled into town.
"Sid spent an hour or so with this young family," Morrissey reminisced. "When you think about a guy like that, who has all of these requests - I can only imagine what it’s like for him and how many people are trying to see him or the requests he’s getting - so for him to give an hour of his time and spend that hour with a young boy from Winnipeg was pretty cool.
"Seeing some of those photos, just of the joy, the star-struck look in this little guy’s face, but also for me to see what our game’s superstar for a long time is willing to do with his time and giving back - not even his community or where he played or lives - is pretty cool. That was one that stuck out to me."
A full gallery of photos from the 2023 Josh Morrissey Classic by James Carey Lauder can be found below:
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Unsurprisingly, this isn't the only charity golf tournament that the star defenceman has participated in this offseason.
Just a couple weeks ago, Morrissey suited up alongside teammate Adam Lowry for Team White Out at the Rogers Legends of Hockey Charity Skins Game at the Shaw Charity Classic in Calgary, Alberta. Thanks to that event, the two Jets helped raise $250K for more than 270 youth-based charities across the province.
Sticking with the golf theme, fellow teammate Morgan Barron earlier had the chance to participate in the Manitoba Open at Southwood Golf and Country Club this summer, to which he became the fifth Jets player to be granted an invite.
Mark Scheifele (2018, 2022) and Kyle Connor (2019) have each previously played as the sponsor's exemption, while Blake Wheeler and Morrissey have also both received invites in the past.
