The Canadian Hockey League today announced the results of a league-wide fundraising initiative where 39 teams, including the Kelowna Rockets, consisting of 663 registered members have raised over $157,000 to date through their participation in Movember helping change the face of men’s health.

As an official global charity, Movember’s vision is to have an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health.  During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of millions of moustaches around the world. Through the power of the moustache, vital funds and awareness are raised to combat prostate and testicular cancer and mental health challenges.

“Congratulations to all Movember participants for their energy and commitment helping the Canadian Hockey League collectively raise over $157,000 this season and over $460,000 in three seasons for such a worthy cause,” said CHL President David Branch.  “It’s been incredible to see the growth of this program and the outstanding support our players, officials, and teams receive from friends, family, sponsors, and fans across the CHL.”

For the third straight year the ‘MOfficials’ are the top fundraising team in the CHL Movember Network raising $63,962.  The group of 150 Western Hockey League officials led by Clayton Hall who has raised $4,530 are ranked sixth among all registered teams in Canada after finishing 12th last season, and 33rd as a group in 2011.

The WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders lead all CHL clubs in fundraising with $16,853 raised, followed by the QMJHL’s Saint John Sea Dogs who have raised $10,526.  The Sudbury Wolves lead all OHL clubs and are ninth on the CHL Network Leaderboard with $2,915 raised.

Sea Dogs’ defenceman Michael Abbott, a 19-year-old from St. John’s, NL, leads the entire CHL Network with an impressive $5,705 raised.  In second place is Raiders’ rookie defenceman Tyler Dea, an 18-year-old from St. Albert, AB, who raised $4,550.  Wolves forward Connor Burgess, a 17-year-old from Sudbury, ON, leads the OHL in individual fundraising and is sixth overall in the CHL with $2,475 raised.

The CHL Movember Network ranks 12th among all registered networks in Canada and helped to contribute to the over $29 million raised by participants across Canada and the $105 million raised worldwide.

Movember supports world class men’s health programs that combat prostate and testicular cancer and mental health challenges. These programs, directed by the Movember Foundation, are focused on awareness and education, living with and beyond cancer, staying mentally healthy, living with and beyond mental illness and research to achieve our vision of an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health.

The Movember Challenge officially continues until 5:00 pm on Monday December 9, 2013, with opportunities to donate until then.

News from © iNFOnews, 2013