For the first time this year, Nick Foligno played in a hockey game where the score did not matter.
In his annual charity hockey game fundraiser in his hometown of Sudbury, Ontario, what mattered was the 3,000-plus in attendance and money being given to an incredible cause.
People are lined up around the block in Sudbury for @NickFolignos NHL vs. Docs @NEOKidsFdn charity hockey game! pic.twitter.com/ic0c1Lmv6g
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 11, 2019
The cause being the NEO Kids Foundation, which raises funds to purchase vital pieces of equipment, conduct life-changing research and increase awareness for children’s health needs in Northeastern Ontario.
Foligno welcomes fellow Columbus Blue Jacket teammates to participate in the game, as well as NHL players from across the league.
"I think it's become a really fun event just because of the time between seeing your teammates and seeing them again," Foligno told the Blue Jackets.
Participating in the game from the Blue Jackets was Boone Jenner, Josh Anderson, Cam Atkinson, Seth Jones, Brandon Dubinsky, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Scott Harrington. Matt Duchene, John Tavares, Marc Staal, Tyler Bertuzzi and Anthony Duclair were also in attendance.
That wraps up the 2019 NHL vs Docs for NEO Kids! Thank you to the 3,000 plus attendees who joined and cheered on our docs and NHL players. Congratulations to team blue @NickFoligno on winning the game 12 to 11!!!!
— NEO Kids Foundation (@NEOKidsFdn) August 11, 2019
Though the amount fundraised during this year's game has not been announced, last year's event earned over $215,000 in donations, a number that hopefully grew even higher this year.
"It gives you a good feeling that you're making a difference because you can't the other ways. I'm not as smart as a doctor to able to help my daughter or find a cure for cancer," said Foligno. "I wish I was, but there's people in the world that can do that, right? So this is our way of contributing to that and this is our way of making a difference."
