Canadian Forces Team’s fundraising game in Oklahoma City finds... more Canadians Published April 13, 2012 By Lt. (RCN) Al Blondin NORAD Public Affairs OKLAHOMA CITY -- In a tight match to the finish, the Tinker Air Force Base (AFB) Canadian Detachment Hockey Team completed its seventh annual fundraising game, winning by one goal against the Oklahoma University Sooners on Saturday, March 31. "This game is a great outreach to our community," said Tinker AFB Canadian Detachment Deputy Commanding Officer, Major Kevin Ciesielski. "We appreciate this opportunity to have fun while raising money for a good cause." The yearly game doubles as a fundraiser, a different cause is chosen every year. This year's selected beneficiary was the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, one of the world's most respected centers devoted exclusively to cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. As an interesting aside, the Sooners also had Canadian connections. Head Coach Peter Arvanitis is a native of Montreal; he came to the Sooners after playing professionally in Oklahoma with the Central Hockey League. "We have a great relationship with the Canadians on the Base," he said. "This game is a great way to foster that relationship." One of the Sooners players comes from Surrey, British Columbia and another, goalie Louis Libin, grandson of Calgary Flames owner Alvin Libin, hails from Calgary. Louis said that he was encouraged by his father to check out Oklahoma University. "When I saw the hockey facilities and met the people here, I was sold on it." Louis traded places with the Tinker AFB goalie and played for the Canadian team for the whole game. Tinker AFB Canadian Detachment member Lieutenant Chuck MacDonald organized the game. His efforts resulted in a total of $2,000 raised for the MD Anderson Cancer Center.