City of Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown is thrilled to announce the participation of several standout players from the Brampton Steelheads in the 3rd annual Hockey Night in Brampton fundraiser. Joining the star-studded lineup are Brampton Steelheads’ very own goalies, Jack Ivankovic and Ryerson Leenders, along with forward Porter Martone and defenseman Stevie Leskovar. These up-and-coming players will skate alongside NHL stars and legends, including Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs, to support the William Osler Health System Foundation in what promises to be a spectacular evening for hockey enthusiasts and the Brampton community.
The Steelheads, who recently relocated to Brampton starting in the 2024-2025 OHL season, have quickly become an integral part of the city’s sports culture. The team’s move has brought excitement and renewed energy to the local hockey scene, with fans eagerly anticipating their games at the CAA Centre. The Brampton Steelheads are committed to community engagement and development, making their involvement in the Hockey Night in Brampton fundraiser a perfect fit.
Returning coaches Wendel Clark and Doug Gilmour are set to lead the teams once again, with Coach Gilmour eager to defend his title as last year’s champion. Also joining the lineup this year is star forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs and fan favourite Mitch Marner, former NHL defenseman and Canadian gold medalist Chris Pronger, Women’s Canadian National team stars Tessa Bonhomme and Renata Fast, NHL players Dylan Strome, Erik Gudbranson, Cole Perfetti, Liam Foudy and Jack McBain, along with Hockey Hall of Famer Chris Chelios and former NHL and Brampton Battalion player Cody Hodgson. The legendary Daryl Sittler will start the night with the ceremonial puck drop, marking the beginning of what is sure to be an exciting third season of this vital fundraiser.
Last year, the event raised $1,000,000 for the Osler Foundation and $100,000 for the John Tavares Foundation. This year, the City aims to exceed that number to further support the development of Brampton’s second hospital. As one of the busiest community hospital systems in Canada, Osler plays a vital role in our community’s health and well-being. The City of Brampton is committed to enhancing local healthcare services through initiatives like Hockey Night in Brampton, ensuring residents have access to specialized care close to home.
The City extends its gratitude to Hockey Night in Brampton’s Presenting Sponsor Panattoni Development Company Canada. We also thank our Changemaker Sponsors Great Gulf, DG Group, Paradise Developments, Capital Power, Holborn Group, Pattison and ARGO for their generous support.
Save the Date – Hockey Night in Brampton
Date: Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Doors open: 6 PM
Puck Drop: 7 PM
Location: CAA Centre, 7575 Kennedy Rd S, Brampton, ON
Buy Your Tickets or Donate Directly
Tickets for Hockey Night in Brampton cost $25 and can be purchased via Ticketmaster online here.
To donate directly to the William Osler Health System Foundation, click here.
Further team announcements will be made in the coming weeks as players are confirmed. For more information, visit hockeynightbrampton.ca.
Player Profiles
Porter Martone
Expected to be a top 5 draft choice and a potential Team Canada World Junior underage player, Porter Martone had an impressive 71-point season in 60 games with the Steelheads last season and tallied 17 points in seven games to help Canada win gold at the under-18 World Championship, a team he also captained in the tournament.
Jack Ivankovic
Jack Ivankovic is currently the starting goalie for Team Canada at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and was selected 7th overall in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection by the Steelheads. Jack posted a 2.72 goals against average in 25 games with the Steelheads during the 2023-24 season. He was the first goaltender chosen in the Priority Selection draft since 2019, was the backbone of the AAA Mississauga Senators as a 15 year-old and backstopped Team Ontario to a gold medal at the Canada Winter Games in February 2023.
Ryerson Leenders
Ryerson Leenders was selected 32nd overall in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection draft by the Steelheads. Debuting in the 2022-23 season, Leenders quickly established himself as a reliable presence in net, recording his first shutout against the Erie Otters on September 29, 2023. He added three more shutouts in 46 games during the 2023-24 season posting a .909 save percentage and averaging over 30 saves per game! His strong positioning and reflexes earned him a spot at the 2024 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game and a selection as the Buffalo Sabres’ final pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
Stevie Leskovar
Selected 174th overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2024 NHL Draft, Steven Leskovar has had a successful start to his OHL career with the Peterborough Petes and now Steelheads. Known for his solid defensive skills and potential, Leskovar looks to make a significant impact in his professional career with the Wild.
About Hockey Night in Brampton
Launched in 2019 by Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, Hockey Night in Brampton is a charity hockey game proudly supporting community health care programs through the William Osler Health System Foundation (Osler Foundation). In two years, the event has raised over $1.4 million for Osler Foundation with $1 million going towards the new Peel Memorial Hospital and over $400,000 supporting cardiac care.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorship opportunities are available for Hockey Night in Brampton. To learn more, please contact Michael Miele, Sponsorship Coordinator at michael.miele@brampton.ca.
All 2024 Confirmed Players
Quotes
”We were delighted to welcome the OHL’s Steelheads to our community this year and it is great to see so many players join the Hockey Night in Brampton family. The OHL has an exciting history of producing great talent in NHL history from Bobby Orr to Wayne Gretzky to John Tavares to Connor McDavid. I encourage everyone to come out and show your support on August 21 as our Steelhead players join NHL stars and legends for an exciting game and great cause.”
— Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton
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As one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada, Brampton is home to nearly 700,000 people and more than 100,000 businesses. People are at the heart of everything we do. We are energized by our diverse communities, we attract investment, and we are embarking on a journey to lead technological and environmental innovation. We partner for progress to build a healthy city that is safe, sustainable, and successful. Connect with us on X (Formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram. Learn more at www.brampton.ca.
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