Findlay’s haircut raises funds for Hockey Fights Cancer

Findlays haircut raises funds for Hockey Fights Cancer

When Thamesford’s Mike Findlay decided it was time for a haircut, he wanted to donate it to a good cause.

His last haircut was August 2021 and before that 2016.

“It’s been growing for a while,” said Findlay.

He chose Locks of Love, which provides custom-made wigs to children who lose their hair due to medical conditions, including cancer treatment.

Findlay, a defenseman on the Tillsonburg Thunder men’s hockey team, came up with the idea to tie it together with Hockey Fights Cancer.

“When it (Hockey Fights Cancer Night) started getting closer, I wondered if my hair was long enough to do it, so I did some research and had my wife (Alisha) measure it.”

Locks of Love requires eight inches and Findlay’s hair made the grade, so he suggested the team add the haircutting to its Hockey Fights Cancer fundraising on Saturday, Nov. 26. The haircut raised $1,000 for Hockey Fights Cancer.

After the hockey game – Tillsonburg defeated Alvinston 12-4 – Findlay’s hair was prepped by Joanna Dion (The Salon Mom) into three ponytails in the Marwood Lounge. Teammates Chris McGuffin and Jamie MacQueen cut off the first two ponytails, and his wife Alisha cut the third.

“Two 12-inch locks and one 10-inch lock,” said Dion, who completed Findlay’s haircut.

“I think it’s kind of cool, and there’s always people who are going to need it,” said Findlay. “It’s something I wanted to do for a while this just kind of worked out.”

Tillsonburg Thunder GM Bill Ryan holds up one of the game-worn jerseys auctioned Saturday night for Hockey Fights Cancer.  The Thunder raised $4,867 through its silent auctions and Mike Findlay's haircut for Locks of Love.  CHRIS ABBOTT
Tillsonburg Thunder GM Bill Ryan holds up one of the game-worn jerseys auctioned Saturday night for Hockey Fights Cancer. The Thunder raised $4,867 through its silent auctions and Mike Findlay’s haircut for Locks of Love. CHRIS ABBOTT jpg, TN

As a team, the Thunder raised $4,867 for Hockey Fights Cancer from its silent auction table, auctioning Saturday’s special purple-and-black HFC jerseys, and Findlay’s contribution.

The 36-year-old defenseman is in his 14th season with the Thunder after three years of Junior B in St. Thomas and a brief stint with the Tillsonburg Vipers.

“I’ve been one of the veterans for a while,” he laughed. “It doesn’t feel like 15 years – it would have been 15 if we didn’t have that COVID shutdown.”

Findlay said the camaraderie keeps him coming back.

“Probably the dressing room, hanging out with the guys. You don’t do it if you don’t love playing hockey. There have been guys who come play one or two years and they’re done. Or they come play one or two games and say ‘No thanks, I’m good.’

“The hitting, the blocking shots, I still like doing all of that.”

Tillsonburg Thunder's Mike Rebry, wearing a Hockey Fights Cancer jersey, breaks in on Alvinston's goalie Saturday night at the Kinsmen Memorial Arena.  Tillsonburg won the WOSHL hockey game 12-4.  CHRIS ABBOTT
Tillsonburg Thunder’s Mike Rebry, wearing a Hockey Fights Cancer jersey, breaks in on Alvinston’s goalie Saturday night at the Kinsmen Memorial Arena. Tillsonburg won the WOSHL hockey game 12-4. CHRIS ABBOTT jpg, TN

Next Saturday, Dec. 3, is Tillsonburg’s annual Teddy Bear Toss Night against the Delhi Flames. The games starts at 7:30 pm at the Kinsmen Memorial Arena. When the Thunder score their first goal, fans who bring teddy bears throw the stuffed toys to the ice. The teddy bears are gathered up by U8 hockey players and donated to The Salvation Army for its Christmas hamper program.

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