The Saskatoon Blades organization has a leader with ambitions to serve his community which are second to none and a big-time business has stepped up to help with those ambitions.
The Blades and Nutrien have teamed up with captain Chase Wouters in a new charitable partnership. Dubbed the Nutrien face-off for hunger campaign the initiative will see Nutrien donating $10 to the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre for every face-off won by Wouters in the 2019-20 Western Hockey League regular season.
“Chase is entering his fourth season with our organization and had come forward with ambitions of wanting to take another step in his contributions in the community,” explained Blades’ director of business operations Tyler Wawryk in a team release. “Chase demonstrates what we want our players, staff, and overall brand to represent.“
In his second season with the Blades, Wouters was awarded the WHL Eastern Conference Academic Player of the Year Award and last season received the Blades community-minded award for his efforts in the community.
To give fans an idea, Wouters won 799 draws in the 2018-19 campaign which offered a unique opportunity for Nutrien to support a local initiative that is near to their hearts according to the release.
“At Nutrien, our purpose is to grow our world from the ground up,” says Candace Laing, Vice President, Sustainability & Stakeholder Relations, “investing in community initiatives and partnerships enhances the quality of life in regions where we operate and reflects the goals and values of our company. Supporting Nutrien Face-Off For Hunger improves food security right here at home.”
Having only just returned from the Anaheim Ducks NHL camp Wouters is entering his fourth full season with the Blades and second as team captain.
“Part of being a member of the Blades is that we have a duty and responsibility to use our platform to help the community,” Wouters said. “I’ve taken a lot of pride in that area of being a WHL hockey player and after last season, talking to some other guys around the league and different people in Saskatoon, I wanted to find a new way to give back. Obviously there’s only so many hours us players can physically get out in the community, but this program is something I feel I can do on a nightly basis. Nutrien stepped up to help create the Nutrien Face-Off For Hunger initiative so now it’s up to me to go out there and win as many draws as I can.”
The Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre is a progressive and collaborative organization that seeks to address the underlying causes of food insecurity and poverty in the Saskatoon community.
Laurie O’Connor, the food bank’s executive director, said in the release this partnership is one that is very meaningful to the organization and the community it serves.
“These types of events are fun, and we get a lot of positive feedback from the community about this partnership. It’s a great time for everyone, in support of a cause that people really care about. The month of September is Hunger Awareness Month in Canada, so this is a particularly great time to kick off this initiative.”
The campaign is slated to begin when the bridge city bunch play their first game of the 2019-20 regular season in Prince Albert against the defending WHL champion Prince Albert Raiders on Friday, September 20th. Fans will have their first opportunity to see Wouters in action the following night as the Blades host the Raiders for the home opener on Saturday, September 21st.
“I’m looking forward to having that added incentive on the ice, knowing it’s going to a good cause, I can’t wait to lineup in the face-off circle,” Wouters concluded.
