‘It just means the world’: Hockey community steps up for memorial charity tournament

A game at the third annual Ben Stelter Memorial Hockey Tournament on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (Galen McDougall/CTV News Edmonton)

The third annual Ben Stelter Memorial Hockey Tournament got underway at the Kinsmen Twin Arenas Thursday, and with so many teams wanting to participate, there was a waiting list.

The tournament began in 2023 in memory of Ben Stelter, an Oilers superfan who died of cancer at six years old in 2022.

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The tournament consists of 40 teams and more than 600 players.

“To see this tournament fill up really fast is so special to us and just it means the world,” said Mike Stelter, Ben’s father. “It’s making a difference, helping a lot of kids battling cancer right now.”

Most of the teams are from Edmonton, though some travelled from as far away as Grande Prairie.

“Within Edmonton, people want to have a foundation, an area they can give back to, somewhere they can help to make a difference,” Mike said.

“A lot of these people fell in love with Ben and want to come out to support him, which is pretty special.”

In the first year, the tournament raised around $54,000 and around $84,000 in 2024.

“The money is being used towards magical experiences for kids battling cancer, like Ben, to provide medical equipment that’s not covered by private benefits or Alberta Health, and to invest into research,” Mike said.

In addition to the on-ice action, there’s a silent auction raising money as well. Some of the items up for grabs include a signed Connor McDavid stick, signed memorabilia and golf packages at private courses.

This is a special year for the Kinsmen Club, who run the rink, as well, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary in Edmonton as a club.

Since the rink opened in 1996, the club has held a charity tournament yearly, with this being the 29th annual one.

The tournament runs Friday and Saturday, with the finals happening on Sunday.

Mike is fighting his own cancer diagnosis, sarcoma, after doctors found a tumor forming on his spine.

In 2024, a different tournament, the Ben’s Cup 2024 raised more than $500,000 that went toward a $150-million centre for proton therapy and neurosciences, an advanced type of cancer treatment.

• Ben Stelter hockey tourney raises more than $500K for cancer fundraiser