Canton Chiefs hold charity toy drive

By Brian Kalisher –

The Canton Chiefs are thinking about more than hockey this time of year.

Canton’s varsity hockey club teamed up with Dick Scott Automotive and Toys for Tots to help make the holidays special for families around the metro-Detroit area.  During their Dec. 9 game against Novi at Arctic Edge Arena in Canton, the players, their families, and fans in attendance were encouraged to bring toys to donate to children in need.

“We understand the joy something like this can bring to a child’s life, especially during these challenging economic times,” said Canton coach Jeremy Majszak.

Dick Scott Automotive chipped in with $10 coupons for oil changes for every toy that was donated to the cause that night.

Majszak was also happy to see who else showed up with toys to help support the cause.

“All of our boys and all of our parents and some of the fans had brought [toys], and what was a real classy, really good thing – the Novi team also brought toys,” Majszak said. “I think every single kid that got off that bus had a toy in their hand.”

Cheryl Greenshields, a parent of one of the Canton players, initiated the event.

“That was something she said she would like to do,” Majszak said.  “And of course, we had no problem doing that and wanted to so she set it up…it was really good to collect that many toys.”

Coach Majszak feels that this is something Canton might do for years to come.

“Whether it’s partnered with Dick Scott, I think theirs is an annual thing, so I would love to do this annually,” Majszak said.  “A lot of our events that we do like this we do annually and this is something new that’s been brought up and I definitely want to keep.”

It turned out to be a good night on the ice for the Chiefs, as well – they beat Novi 2-0 and moved to 5-1 on the season.  Goaltender Spencer Craig has stopped 74 of 77 shots in the teams’ past two wins against No. 2 Churchill and No. 6 Novi.  They look to win their sixth in a row tonight against South Lyon.

“It was really good to see that, the support, that this time of year we can all come together,” Majszak said. “It’s not just hockey its support between schools.”