Nova Scotia, Canada – Zach Fucalee is a Canadian ice hockey goalie who currently plays for the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
The Chronicle Herald reports that Fucale decided a few months ago that he needed to share some of his good fortune.
He approached La Fondation de l’Autisme des Laurentides and Hockey Helps with his plan of how he hoped to raise money for autism research. His plan was that of designing and wearing a mask during one of the Mooseheads games and then auctioning it off. His girlfriend’s brother is autistic and he shared that this was why it was important for him to help.
“It’s a charity from my home region. It’s something that’s important to me and is close for me. I just wanted to raise some money and help the cause and maybe bring some awareness as well.”
Fucale partnered with Montreal area airbrush artist Sylvie Marsolais to create the mask and he launched a contest in November to find a fan who would work with him on the artwork.
Dana Simonsen from Nova Scotia won and they worked together to make the mask.
“He liked the ideas I brought to the table and he had some really good ones as well. He wanted to bring some Mooseheads history to it and I liked that.”
Fucale raised $8,607 during the first part of his campaign and he is now about to auction off the mask.
Hockey Helps is coordinating the auction and details will be posted on their Twitter account (@Wesscapade)
Fucale said.
“Hopefully we can do well in the auction so we can give something to the foundation.”
The original article by Willy Palov on The Chronicle Herald website can be read here