The 15th annual Cody Dennis Memorial Hockey Game was held on Saturday, January 26th at the Blackfalds Multiplex.

Players of all ages and sizes went head to head to play hockey in memory of Cody. Cody’s former teammates and coaches, alumni from Blackfalds minor hockey, and current players involved in minor hockey were all involved in the game. Meanwhile, off the ice, the Central Alberta Toy Run held raffles in support of minor hockey.

Earlier this year, the Cody Dennis’ memorial fund sponsored a player and goalie clinic. Normally, players would spend twenty dollars to attend the clinic but because it was sponsored, the players were instead able to donate their twenty dollars to the expansion of the Blackfalds Multiplex. Any money that was donated was matched by minor hockey. At the memorial game, minor hockey announced that a $1700-dollar donation was made in honour of Cody Dennis towards the new ice surface.

However, that is not all that the memorial games have put out for minor hockey over the years, Brenda Dennis, Cody’s mother says the total amount is much more substantial: “So far we’ve raised about $57,000 dollars altogether through the fifteen years,” but that amount does not include what was raised on Saturday. 

Brenda added, “It feels good and people don’t realize our grandson played minor hockey for a little bit but we have no family in minor hockey right now.”

Over the years, Cody’s memory has truly benefited minor hockey in Blackfalds keeping a variety of people involved including the Central Alberta Toy Run. The Central Alberta Toy Run is a group of motorcyclists that have helped the Dennis family with the memorial game for the past fifteen years by hosting raffles and giving donations.

Brenda was very thankful for the work that they have done over the years saying, “They look rough around the edges but, my goodness, they have a heart of gold.”

Although the night was a great success, Brenda mentioned “It’s emotional at times,” but she believes that Cody would have been overwhelmed by the generosity in his honour.