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M A R C H 2 0 2 4 | M H J ON L I N E . C O M 27 It was just a great way to utilize hockey for something good in the community." —LANDON JOHNSON, CO-FOUNDER, GOONS 4 GOOD Despite a brief hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, to date Goons 4 Good has raised more than $50,000 for more than a dozen differ- ent charities, foundations, and youth hockey associations in the state of Minnesota through Bentrup's connection with local rotary clubs. "It 's really just a fun, fun weekend when we host a tournament," Bentrup described. " We can get barbecues, sometimes girl scouts will sell cookies, or food trucks. We make the weekend about the people and the charity with the competition of hockey light and fun on the side to draw an expanded interest. A nd we've received a lot of compliments and reached a ton of really great people." Each tournament hosted by Goons 4 Good varies based on the level of involve- ment from the charity, the sponsors and the number of players and teams. A tournament generally consists of a co-ed division with a mixer element— meaning teams are put together based on a quick form filled out at player registration which includes hockey playing experience, position, etc. versus signing up as an entire team. Some tournaments will separate into a "competitive" division and "fun" division, with the biggest differences being skill level and pace of play. "We have players from every level who come out to play," said Bentrup. "Guys who have played college, women who excelled in high school, and then we have people who have never played a game of organized hockey in their life. But we make sure to make the teams as balanced as possible. "The end goal is just to have some fun and raise some money, so everyone knows that coming in." Players generally pay any where between $60-$100 to pay for ice time, officials, and random fee expenses. The remainder of money brought in goes directly to the charity. But player fees aren't the only source of donation. Power play cards, team and individual fundraising, as well as other purchasable items also bring in money for the tournament's charity of choice. "It's kind of like a golf tournament," Johnson explained. "Golf tournaments can offer mulligan cards and stuff, so to lean into that on the hockey side, we offer power play cards, penalty shots for teams who fundraise the most. "With that, the only tiebreakers are donations. So, if two teams are tied at the end of the tournament, whichever team purchased the most cards, or donated the most money to charity wins the tiebreaker." At the heart of every tournament, players, fans, and all those involved are left with feelings of warmth, gratitude and inspiration. The hockey's great, but the camaraderie and giving back to Minnesota communities is even better. "It's really not about the physical aspect of the game itself," Bentrup said. "We want people to have fun playing hockey and have fun with the full week- end of events themselves. "We want to keep growing, so if there's anyone looking for a fun way to raise some money, we'd be happy to help." Jessi Pierce is a freelance writer covering the NHL and hockey in Minnesota. She hosts the hockey-centric Bardown Beauties Podcast and can be followed on X @jessi_pierce. • DinoMights 3v3 Winter Classic: Co-ed, Feb.10 @ Billy Lindsay Outdoor Rink (DinoMights) • Moose Winter Classic: Co-ed, March 15-17 @ Minnesota Made Ice Arena (Rett Syndrome) • Peepin' It Real Easter Cup: Co-ed, March 29-30 @ Centennial Sports Arena (Goons 4 Good) • Walleye Flop: Co-ed and women's, May 10-12 @ Minnesota Made Ice Arena (trafficking justice) • Skate Free Charlie: Co-ed, men's and women's, June/July 2024 @ TBD (The Charlie Boike Memorial Fund) • Princeton Prowl: Co-ed, Aug. 16-18 @ Princeton Ice Arena (Princeton Youth Hockey Tournament) • In the Sticks: Co-ed and women's, Sept. 2024 @ East Bethel Ice Arena (St. Francis Youth Hockey) To register and learn more visit goons4good.com 2023-2024 TOURNEY SCHEDULE