The annual Noah Trulsen Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser Night, with a game of shinny, dinner, and prizes draws and auction, is set for Nov. 8.
The event raises money for two scholarships for young hockey players in memory of the young man, 22, who was killed after a fall during a recreational hockey game on Oct. 4, 2018. Since then, every year near his birthday of Nov. 16, the Noah Lane Trulsen Scholarship holds a charity game at Planet Ice in Maple Ridge.
The response to his death from the hockey community was dramatic, with condolences and tributes pouring in from the Ridge Meadows Minor Hockey Association, his favourite player Canuck Kevin Bieksa, his favourite singer Lights, and many others.
The fundraising night is a place and time to gather with family and friends, enjoy a fun hockey game, dinner, silent auctions, 50/50 draw, and much more, all while honouring the memory of Noah.
His family throws their hearts into the event, and his mother Lorraine said the 125 tickets for the dinner sold out fast, and most of the lineup spots in the hockey game are filled.
“It’s really helping to keep his memory alive, and community is always so great at supporting us,” said Lorraine.
There are silent auction and door prizes with coveted items donated, including a jersey signed by Vancouver Canucks star defencemen Quinn Hughes, a stick signed by former Canucks captain Bo Horvat, custom gloves from retired NHL all-star defenceman P.K. Subban, and much more.
Pitt Meadows Plumbing is donating $500 worth of tools, and noted that one of their employees, Logan Halfnights, is a past scholarship recipient who has become a valued member of their team.
“This success story is a reminder of how powerful the foundation’s support can be,” wrote Sara Searle of the plumbing company to the Trulsen foundation. “The investment you make in young people does not end with a bursary. It carries forward into careers, workplaces and communities.”
Admission to the game is free, by donation, and those attending can buy tickets for the prizes draws, for the 50/50, or bid on auction items before the dinner. Winners not in attendance will be called.
Noah’s younger brother Matthew is back from his college career tending goal for the University of Jamestown, with an education in marketing. He has arranged some new merchandise for the event – hoodies and hats with the logo for the event. There are also hockey and baseball jerseys. Lorraine said they look great, and expects they will be popular.
Noah was known as a gentle giant who loved hockey, and kept playing recreationally. The day before his death he had completed his qualifications to become an electrician.
The funds raised are intended by the family to support young people like him. Each year, two scholarships are awarded in his memory – one for $1,500 is awarded to a local hockey player, nominated through Ridge Meadows Minor Hockey; and the other is $750 for a Juvenile C player in post secondary programs, and is awarded through Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey.
Lorraine is a key organizer for this night in her son’s memory.
“It keeps me busy. This is a really bad time of year for me, and it gives me something to focus on,” she said. “And it’s something the community really seems to enjoy too.”
For more information, or to donate to the scholarship fund, see noahtrulsen.com.