(File Photo/northeastnow staff)

By Ben Tompkins

Carrot River Minor Hockey Association

Carrot River Minor Hockey Auction looking to make the game more affordable

Nov 2, 2021 | 6:46 PM

The annual Carrot River Minor Hockey Auction takes place this Saturday at the Carrot River Arena.

The auction, which started in the 1970s, helps raise funds to keep minor hockey costs as low as possible for local kids playing in town.

The auction is the only fundraiser in town every year and raises roughly $30,000. With that money raised, it would cut the cost in half for those 100 kids currently registered.

Dan Pihowich, former president and current board member said this auction is very important to him, as he knows the impact that sports have on young kids.

“Be it hockey, be it sport, be it anything that’s a team thing, there’s a lot of life lessons that a person can learn throughout it and I think it’s very important,” he said.

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Pihowich also said that although Saturday will be filled to the brim with hockey and hockey events, he’s begun to view this auction in a different light, as he sees how people in the community participate in it.

“This is a community event. Yes, 100 per cent of the proceeds from this go to make hockey in Carrot River affordable, but at the end of the day, I’d say this has turned into more than just a hockey event. There are people that get together and tune in to the auction, even from other towns. Every year they know when the auction is and they mark it on their calendars and do their Christmas shopping,” Pihowich said.

According to Pihowich, even though this has been going on for roughly 50 years, the event has found a way to continue growing, which is especially impressive, considering every item is donated.

“As the number of years goes by that we’re doing this, the numbers keep going up. This year we’re looking at about 30 per cent more items than we’ve ever had. This is the best list of items that we’ve ever had and there’s really something for everybody here. Businesses are giving back to the community and minor hockey is giving back to the kids.”

The event will be slightly different than last year as the rink and concession will be open to the public, which means no phone-in and online viewing only. There will also be hockey events all day, which include the U13 team hosting Melfort at 2:30 p.m., the U15 team hosting Hudson Bay at 6:30 p.m., shinny/public skating at 4:45 p.m. and of course the auction, which will run from 7 p.m. until midnight.

All items up for bid can be viewed on the Carrot River Minor Hockey Radio Auction Facebook page.

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