Feature Photo: IG / @bootsandheartsbarnburner

The annual Boots and Hearts Barn Burner Charity Hockey Game was a big hit thanks in part to the NHL and PWHL players who took participated in the event.

Held in Barrie, Ontario, about a 90-minute drive north of Toronto, this year’s edition of Boots and Hearts Barn Burner brought out several NHLPA and PWHLPA members, including Nathan Bastian, Quinton Byfield, Taylor Hall, Bo Horvat, Andrew Mangiapane and John Tavares – who played alongside PWHL stars, including Marie-Philip Poulin, Jill Saulnier and Laura Stacey.    

Held on Aug. 7 at Sadlon Arena, the evening included a charity hockey game featuring the players, along with a performance by country music artist, Shantaia.

Money raised from the event goes towards various local charities, including the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the John Tavares Foundation, PIE Education, Rotary Club and other organizations within the Barrie area.

In 2023, the Barn Burner brought in $270,000. This year, as the event continues to grow in popularity, the number ballooned to $400,000.

“It is a lot of fun,” said Tavares. “I’m happy to support it and [my wife] Aryne and I are very grateful that this event helps support our foundation.

“We have been very fortunate to have been aligned with so many wonderful people, organizations and events over the years, just like this one.”

Highlights, for both players and fans, were many.

Mangiapane, who was traded to the Washington Capitals from Calgary this June, played three seasons of junior hockey with the Ontario Hockey League’s Barrie Colts, from 2013 to 2016.

“It was great to make the annual visit to Sadlon Arena and to revisit and catch up with management, family and friends again, who all come out to support the great cause. Obviously, I played in Barrie, so it’s always special to play in that arena again.”

New Jersey Devils forward Nathan Bastian found himself in awe of a few fellow players at the event.

“I would say the best part was probably just playing in a sold-out arena in the middle of the summer,” said Bastian. “I thought that was a lot of fun. 

“The highlight for me was being on the ice with Marie-Philip Poulin – she was awesome.”

Laura Stacey, a multiple gold medal-winning member of Team Canada and forward for PWHL Montreal, also enjoyed the opportunity to participate in this year’s event with her NHL and PWHL contemporaries.

“It was awesome to be a part of the Barn Burner this year and help raise money for such a great cause,” Stacey told NHLPA.com.

“To see the stands filled with excited fans and to be a part of a charity tournament that raised over $400,000 is incredible and a fun event to be a small part of.”

While the charity game may not have mirrored the true intensity of an NHL regular-season game, there was one moment, Bastian recalled, when he noticed the competitive side of the players coming out.    

“Maybe a little bit when we were down 5-1 and Sam [Gagner] said, ‘This is getting a little out of hand,’” Bastian said with a laugh.

Mangiapane saw the intensity level grow as the game wore on.

“I feel like when players first get on the ice it’s a little slow, but later on, when the game gets close, you really start to see guys start getting competitive.

“I feel like that’s who we are, we’re all athletes out there and even if it’s a charity game, we’re in it to win.”

The big winners of the evening were the numerous charities and organizations that benefitted from Barn Burner.

More than $2.4 million has been raised for local initiatives over the years.

“This is definitely one of the offseason events that you look forward to,” said Tavares. “It’s always nice when you see how much people love hockey and how much it means to their community.

“It is great to see how happy everyone is who comes out for the game. There is a great energy in the crowd, and we all feed off that.”