The Collingwood Blues Junior 'A' Hockey team won the Centennial Cup this year, and last year they won the favour of the Portage La Prarie community while they made their first run at the cup.
It's their off-ice work in the Manitoba city in 2023 that earned the local team a trophy today.
On July 5, Don Boddy, the second-vice-president of the Portage La Prarie Legion hand-delivered a "Friendship Award" to Collingwood Blues captain Marcus Lougheed in recognition of the team's community service during their national championship run.
The team rented the Portage La Prarie legion for meeting space and meals while they were in the province for the Centennial Cup games.
"We were excited because it was going to be a little bit of rent money for us, and it turned into so much more than that," said Boddy.
"I can't even tell you who won that tournament last year, but what I can tell you is that the Collingwood Blues made a difference in our community," said Boddy.
The Blues did some building and outdoor maintenance for the Legion and made a cash donation. Players also volunteered at the Portage La Prarie food bank and donated $1,500 to the food bank, which was matched by a local grocery store.
Boddy said the players were good tippers when they bought beers after being eliminated from the tournament and were "always respectful."
Marcus Lougheed, who was part of both the Portage La Prarie championship run and the win this year in Oakville, said the feeling was mutual. He remembers being treated well in Manitoba.
He said the extra community work was "great" for the team.
"I think that's part of the thing we do as the Blues, we always want to give back and we saw an opportunity in Portage and we thought there's no better way for us to leave our mark than to help out a community that's done an amazing job and they put on an amazing tournament," said Lougheed, who accepted the Friendship award on behalf of the team.
Lougheed, a Collingwood resident, was named captain this year for the coming season after 2023/24 captain Dylan Hudon graduated.
The Legion Friendship Award requires national-level approval and is given to an organization or individuals who support and contribute to the work of Legions and their communities.
Boddy has family in Pembroke and Bala, so he combined the award presentation with a visit to his Ontario family members.
