Sioux Lookout Warriors hockey player Sierra Hoppe tragically passed away suddenly on Feb. 26 at the age of just 14. The Fort Frances High Muskies are raising funds to help support her family during this difficult time.
Muskies girls hockey coach Nicole Clarke says she reached out to the Sioux North coach to express the condolences of both girls and boys Muskies teams.
“I was able to contact their coach and pass on our condolences from both Muskies organizations, the girls and the boys,” Clarke said. “I also made sure they were comfortable with us honouring Sierra when they come to Fort on Wednesday.”
The Sioux North Warriors will be in tonight (Wednesday) for boys and girls hockey games and both Muskies teams will wear number 10 stickers on their helmets in memory of Hoppe. All four teams will gather on the Ice For Kids rink for a pre-game ceremony and the Muskie girls will also use red tape on their sticks as red was Hoppe’s favourite colour.
The Muskies had played against Sioux North on Feb. 24, just a few days before Hoppe’s death.
Hoppe’s father reached out to Clarke to clear up some rumours around the circumstances of his daughter’s passing.
“He just wanted to make sure that [we knew] it was no fault of anyone’s and it was just a devastating loss. It was unexpected and there was nothing anyone could do,” Clarked said. “He was also able to reach out and say that he was really grateful for the support of the hockey family.”
In an effort to continue their support for Hoppe’s family, the Muskies hockey teams are raffling off a pair of tickets to a Winnipeg Jets game on Sunday, April 24 against the Colorado Avalanche.
“One of our parents, Jennifer Antonick, was able to reach out to a member of the Winnipeg Jets organization and explained what happened and they donated two tickets for us to raffle off,” Clarke said. “We sold tickets last night (Monday) and we’ll be selling them again Wednesday at the game. I believe the count after Monday’s game was just over $700.”
Boys teams were set to play as well but that game has been postponed.
The tickets are being sold by donation and will be available at the game tonight at IFK, warm ups begin at 6:45 p.m.
