An Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs alumni hockey game in Yellowknife this February will raise money to address homelessness and food insecurity.
Emma Langlois, the director of business development and partnerships for Hockey Helps the Homeless, said this is the second time the organization will head north. The first involved a trip to Iqaluit last year where she said the group raised $300,000 for local charities.
The Northern Alumni Classic in Yellowknife will take place from February 18-21, 2027.
Langlois didn’t name any of the alumni set to participate in the Yellowknife game, but said Jordin Tootoo, Joe Thornton and Sami Jo Small were among the players in Iqaluit. Sportsnet analyst and former Edmonton enforcer Luke Gazdic is scheduled to appear.
The organization is looking at bringing up a mix of recent retirees, older alumni and hockey influencers to appeal to all ages.
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Langlois said Hockey Helps the Homeless has been active since 1996 and primarily operates across southern Canada. Over that time, she said, the group has granted more than $39 million to homeless and food insecurity organizations.
“We do that through the power of hockey,” said Langlois.
“We go into different cities, run events there, and leave the proceeds to support organizations on the ground, helping people who really need it.”
Alongside the Oilers against Leafs alumni game, February’s events will include a fundraising gala, school visits, on-ice practices, and a game between the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and an Indigenous team from the NWT.
Langlois said the events will also support NWT hockey teams going to the Canada Winter Games, which runs from February 27 to March 14, 2027 in Quebec City.
She said anyone who wants to help with the Yellowknife tournament can send her an email. Updates will be posted to Hockey Help the Homeless social media channels and the group’s website.
