Earlier this month three local hockey teams came together for a great cause. The Pembina Valley Twisters, Red River Mud Bugs, and Morris Mavericks joined as a team to host this year's annual CancerCare Fundraiser held in Morris.

Sherelle Kwan, community events manager with Manitoba CancerCare Foundation, said the event was phenomenal.

"They had a whole weekend of events where they were raising funds for cancer. My favourite part was the head shave. Owners, players, and coaches raised over $8,000 from the public with the promise to shave their head," said Kwan.

Annually the Pembina Valley Twisters are known for holding the event on their own, raising thousands of dollars since 2009 for CancerCare, since the owner of Rempel Insurance in Morris Dale Rempel started the event. Rempel had been a big part of minor sports like hockey in the region, and was diagnosed with cancer the year prior.

"We came together this year for the first time, because one of the St Jean Mud Bug teammates came to me in 2016 and said they really like the CancerCare fundraiser we hold every year and that they wanted to be a part of it," explained Co-owner of the Pembina Valley Twisters Pat Schmitke.

In total, the three teams raised $22,712.20

"When I went out for the cheque presentation a week after the event took place, donations were still coming in. This really shows how much support the community has given the event which is a great thing," explained Kwan.

Kwan continued by saying the team's motto "together we are all on the same team to fight against cancer" was a great way to show how, despite being competitors on the ice, we are all in this battle together. Kwan noted the heart of Manitoba is often in a rink at this time of year.