Building a Legacy: Belle River's Championship Partnership with the Fight Like Mason Foundation

When the Belle River District Minor Hockey Association hosted the 2024 OHF Championships, the excitement extended far beyond the rink. Alongside the on-ice competition, the Host Committee worked to ensure the event left something meaningful behind. Through the OHF’s Legacy Plan, Belle River directed its efforts toward a cause that has long been close to the community’s heart — the Fight Like Mason Foundation.

“The Fight Like Mason Foundation does not receive any government funding and solely relies on the generosity of others,” said Host Committee member and Head Coach, Bryce Bachynski. “FLM Foundation is tied very close to the Belle River community and has been a true symbol within the community for many years.”

The OHF’s Legacy Plan was created to ensure that its Championship events have a positive and lasting impact beyond the competition. Each host community selects a cause or initiative that connects with local families and players, leaving behind a contribution that strengthens the community as a whole.

For Belle River, the choice was clear. The Fight Like Mason Foundation, founded in honour of Mason Macri, works to improve treatment, care, and research for children fighting cancer. The Foundation is highly active in the Windsor-Essex region and is recognized across Ontario for its grassroots impact.

Bachynski shared that the partnership came about through a mix of personal and community ties:

“The partnership came about with me, as the Head Coach, presenting the idea to the Championship Committee, the other coaches, and the parents of the team,” he explained. “As I mentioned during the meeting with the team, my mother was one of the nurses who assisted Mason and his family through his battle with cancer, so this had a personal fit to supporting this Foundation, but also had a local tie with the Foundation being in our community's backyard.”

The story struck a chord not just with Bachynski, but with the families involved, making the Foundation a natural choice for the event’s Legacy Plan. There was also a powerful connection between the players in the tournament and Mason himself.

“The most meaningful fit for the contribution was the fact that Mason’s birth year is also 2012, which is the same birth year of the players who played in the Championship. An additional fit is how close the Foundation is tied to our local community.”

This bond reinforced the importance of reminding young players of the opportunities they have — and the responsibility they share — to support others. Throughout the weekend, the partnership with Fight Like Mason brought the community together in meaningful ways.

“There were many highlights surrounding this support which included having Iain present at our OHF Championship Banquet, having the Foundation set up a booth at the arena on one of the days of the Championship, and obviously being able to present the Foundation with a cheque for over $12,000 just recently.”

The donation itself was significant, but Bachynski emphasized that the real impact comes from raising awareness and building a stronger sense of purpose.

“I hope this donation/partnership will continue to bring awareness of the Foundation and how it needs the support of the community to support a great cause towards killing the villain of cancer for good!” “The main message to send to others is that there is more to life than just winning and being successful, not only in the game of hockey, but just in life in general. Partnering with FLM Foundation is a perfect reminder that there are many children who never have a chance to play sports and are losing their personal battles with cancer. You cannot reverse time, so take advantage of the time and opportunities given to enjoy the game while playing, watching, supporting, and building relationships that will last a lifetime.”

As the Legacy Plan continues to grow across OHF Championships, Bachynski hopes Belle River’s model can serve as an example.

“I hope the Belle River District Minor Hockey Association is granted future OHF Championships and will follow suit with supporting the Legacy Plan and partnering with the FLM Foundation.”

The Belle River community has shown that the OHF Championships are about more than just competition — they’re about leaving a legacy that uplifts others, strengthens community ties, and supports a cause that matters. Thanks to the efforts of the Host Committee and the generosity of families and fans, this year’s event will be remembered not only for the games played, but for the difference made.

Celebrating Legacy Plans

At the OHF, we are committed to ensuring our Championships leave a lasting mark on the communities that host them. The partnership between Belle River and the Fight Like Mason Foundation is a powerful reminder that hockey is about more than wins and losses — it’s about building connections, supporting one another, and creating legacies that reach far beyond the rink.

The Belle River Host Committee and families have shown how the game can inspire generosity and awareness, leaving behind an impact that will be felt for years to come.

Do you have a story of community impact through hockey that you’d like the OHF to feature? Connect with us at zdeforest@ohf.on.ca