Never in my wildest dreams would I think that something that started on my little backyard rink would end up donating close to $300,000 over the 15 year span of this event.
The Backyard Classic is returning for its 15th year on the ice. It's considered Buffalo's largest outdoor winter event with 80 teams of ages 6U and older expected to hit the ice.
"This is a dream come true," Tournament Director Chris Taggart said. "You know, to play at Canalside, to play at Riverworks, outdoors, playing some pond hockey, it’s just a fun relaxed tournament".
Entering this year, the tournament has raised nearly $300,000 for several organizations such as Hasek's Heroes, Oishei Children's Hospital and Roswell Park. This year's beneficiary of the tournament proceeds is the PUNT Foundation, Pediatric Cancer Collaborative.
The proceeds of the tournament will benefit PUNT's bereavement program, which helps families with the grieving process after losing a loved one. The idea to partner with PUNT came after Taggart lost his daughter in a car accident.
"It’s something that’s really important," PUNT Assistant Executive Director Jonathan McGrath said. "I think one of the things we’re really trying to do at PUNT is expand our programming into grief and loss because we see that it’s such a need".
Jonathan knew the partnership between PUNT and the tournament would be a beneficial partnership as Chris' story is similar to Jonathan's. Jonathan lost his two-year-old son to pediatric cancer. Both understanding the ebbs and flows of the grieving process, coming together for the tournament was a perfect match.
"Connecting with Chris and him sharing his story, definitely hit home for me and for the organization," McGrath said. "I think that grief and loss is not something that we lead and talk about every day, but it's something that's really important".
With a partnership holding a deeper meaning, it's brought new life for Chris and the tournament.
"[The partnership] has definitely given me some renewed interest, not that I wasn't excited about this tournament every single year," Taggart said. "It has definitely rejuvenated my inner strength to keep this thing going''.
Going forward, Chris will be looking to use this tournament not only as an opportunity to continue donating to local charities in the area, he hopes to honor his daughter, who played in the tournament three times. While honoring his late daughter, he knows that continuing this tournament is for the greater good of the Western New York Community.
"You know, it really is about helping people, family and community when they absolutely need it the most," Taggart said.
If you're interested in signing up for the tournament, you can register here.
