Olympian and NHL alumni visit YMCA to champion 2026 Hockey Helps the Homeless Pro‑Am charity tournament
Hockey Helps the Homeless is gearing up for its second annual Hamilton-Burlington Pro-Am Charity Tournament returning April 10, 2026. Today, organizers announced the first wave of pros who will join community teams on the ice for the year’s event.
So far, the roster will include the following pros, with more to be announced weekly:
- Theo Peckham
- Jeremy Williams
- Kurtis Gabriel
- John Scott
- Geraldine Heaney
- Theo Peckham
- Brian McGratton
As part of the announcement, two of this year’s pros - former Olympian and women’s hockey pioneer Geraldine Heaney, and NHL Alumni Jeremy Williams - visited the Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA, where they met with staff from the YMCA Men’s Residence, and Youth in Transitions program. During the visit, the athletes learned about program enhancements, expanded support for residents, and the impact of investments over the past year.
With a goal of having 15 teams register by February 20, 2026, and with seven teams already registered, Hockey Helps the Homeless and YMCA are calling on local businesses, community groups, and hockey enthusiasts to help bring the tournament lineup to full strength.
Last year’s inaugural Hamilton-Burlington event granted $95,000 to support YMCA programs addressing homelessness. All net proceeds from the 2026 tournament will once again stay local, supporting:
YMCA Men’s Residence (Hamilton)
Offers safe, stable, supportive housing for men, along with individualized support for next steps in employment, health, and housing stability.
Youth in Transition Program (Burlington)
Provides one‑on‑one support to young people transitioning out of the child welfare system, helping them secure housing, build life skills, and move toward independence.
"We are thrilled to be back for the second annual HHTH Hamilton Burlington tournament to support the incredible work YMCA HBB does through their Men's Residence and Youth-in-Transitions program. We were amazed at the community support in year one, and can't wait to grow the tournament even further this year” said Emma Langlois, Senior Business Development Manager with Hockey Helps the Homeless
“To me, hockey has always been about teamwork, and that sense of teamwork extends far beyond the rink,” said NHL Alumni, Jeremy Williams. “It means stepping up for our community, supporting programs that help people rebuild their lives, and using the game we love to make a real difference. That’s why I’m proud to be part of Hockey Helps the Homeless and to support the YMCA’s incredible work.”
“We see every day how critical stable housing and wraparound supports are,” said Nicki Glowacki, Chief Operating Officer, YMCA Hamilton | Burlington | Brantford. “We’re grateful to Hockey Helps the Homeless and the incredible athletes who lend their voices and their time. Their efforts make it possible for people in our community to find not just shelter, but real pathways to hope.”
About YMCA Hamilton | Burlington | Brantford
The YMCA is a charitable organization that creates spaces to belong and promotes healthy living for people at all stages of life. Learn more at ymcahbb.ca.
About Hockey Helps the Homeless
Hockey Helps the Homeless leverages Canada’s love of the game to raise awareness and funds for organizations addressing homelessness. Pro-Am tournaments across the country bring together hockey fans, former professional players, and community leaders for an unforgettable experience with meaningful local impact. Since its inception, Hockey Helps the Homeless has granted more than $33 million to organizations across Canada working to end and prevent homelessness.
