The organizers of the 22nd annual Hockey for Hospice tournament are thanking the community.
Tournament co-chair Paul Pietraszko says the holiday event has raised more than $339,000 for the Hospice of Windsor & Essex County.
He says the money was raised by the teams and their players.
Pietraszko says two area teams have been recognized.
"The hall of fame teams are any team that raises more than $5,000 and we have two this year sometimes we have one, sometimes we have none," says Pietraszko. "We have Amherstburg Blue Lighting pee wee, they raised $6,004.75. We have Amherstburg North Stars Pee Wee, they raised $5,110."
Pietraszko says proceeds support local hospice services.
"This is 100% other than bills charity tournament," says Pietraszko. "All volunteers, obviously our peer volunteers there's no payment made and we have an army of them from Hospice, from Freedom 55, family, friends."
Pietraszko believes the event is an economic boost for the community.
"I would imagine the arena's probably love it because I don't think there concessions will see this kind of traffic in a long time," says Pietraszko. "Plus all the ice that's being utilized and this year we added a new rink in Central Park."
This year's event features 145 teams and wraps up later today. Last year's event raising just over $301,000 and featured 132 teams.