Dominic Moore says he has difficulty describing the experience of Smashfest — hands down, the most fun and unique charity event launched by an active NHL player.
“People that come don’t know what to expect, but when they leave, they say, ‘That’s the best thing I’ve ever been to,’ or, ‘That’s the best charity event in Toronto,’” Moore told us this month via phone from Tennessee.
“And when people give feedback like that, it really means a lot,” he adds. “There’s really nothing like it, and it’s hard to explain to people unless they’ve been there.”
Smashfest IV, Moore’s ping-pong challenge to raise money for the Katie Moore and Steve Moore foundations, takes place July 23 at Toronto’s Steam Whistle Brewery. It’s a chance for fans to contribute money to a good cause while competing against NHL stars and it has fast become a must-attend event on the hockey calendar.
Here are five reasons you should consider attending.
The players.
Although the guest list is sure to grow over the next couple of weeks, so far Jason Spezza, Logan Couture, Eric Lindros, Sean Monahan, Cam Talbot, Chris Tanev and Kevin Klein have committed.
“One of the good things about playing for so many teams is I know a lot of guys,” says Moore, who does most of the player recruiting himself, with an assist from the NHLPA.
Past attendees have included Martin St. Louis, Claude Giroux, Phil Kessel, Steven Stamkos, Doug Gilmour and Tyler Seguin. And often there are surprise NHLers who pop in unannounced.
“You know how small the hockey community is. Guys have played with other guys in college and junior, so there’s a great network,” Moore explains. “Logan, he’s been there every single time from the beginning. An incredibly generous, standup guy.”
The ping-pong.
While a golf tournament is the athlete’s fundraiser of choice, Moore prefers the interaction ping-pong affords. Plus, the sport has close ties to the NHL.
“A lot of fans don’t even know that ping-pong is a big part of hockey dressing room culture,” Moore says. “Almost every team has a table either in the locker room or in the training centre.”
The possibility of an Alfie sighting.
Not every NHLer Moore tries to recruit can make it. Daniel Alfredsson — Smashfest’s white whale — is usually over in Sweden come July, but Moore is still trying to lure him to the event.
“I’ve heard great things about his ping-pong game,” Moore says. “He was an absolute ringer in the Senators’ locker room. His right hand was No. 1 ranked and his left was No. 2 ranked. He could beat everyone with either hand.”
The good cause.
Fans can get in the door for $250 and into the tournament for $1,000. It sounds expensive, but when you consider that your money will support the advocacy and research of rare cancers as well as concussion research (a cause that hits home for all hockey players), well, that changes things.
Most attendees probably consume $250 worth of pizza, beer and wine that night anyway.
A portion of Smashfest’s proceeds benefit the Katie Moore Foundation, named in honour of <strong><a href=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=em9vha0zuaw” target=”_blank”>Dominic’s late wife</a></strong>, who passed away in 2013 due to a rare form of liver cancer.
“You go out to any random spot in Toronto, you’re going to spend a minimum $100, probably a lot more. It’s also a tax deduction,” Moore explains. “It’s a pricey ticket, for sure, but what you get for that ticket goes a long way: open bar, open food, the opportunity to play ping-pong and mix and mingle for a whole night. It’s mostly a ton of fun.”
The rare hangout.
Fanboys and puck nerds, rejoice. Rare is the event where you cannot just try to steal an autograph but actually hang out and have a beer with one of your favourite players. The NHLers that attend are easily accessible and happy to talk with the fans. As the formal ping-pong wraps up, spontaneous games break out between players and fans, the midnight pizza makes a cameo, and it turns into a party.
“It’s also been a really great way for players to show their personalities out of their equipment,” Moore says. “You see a side of them that you might not otherwise see.”
One-Timers with Dominic Moore
Why 2014-15 was his most productive season in four years:
“The [2013-14] year was a big adjustment after coming back from such a layoff [after his wife died], and I felt like from the second half of that season on, I was playing some very good hockey. The league gets better every year, and my approach has been to improve my game and out-pace that if I can.
I’m fortunate to be on a good team, and when you surround yourself with good players, that certainly helps. We have great defencemen that put the puck in the hands of the forwards.”
Why losing in the Eastern Conference final hurt more than losing in the Stanley Cup final:
“This year’s stung a lot more. There was a certain level of expectation this year versus last year. Last year we had a great run [to the Cup final], but I don’t think we expected to be where we were. This year, winning the Presidents’ Trophy and having the season we had, we were hungry to get back to the final and finish the job. So it stung more to not get there.”
On Glen Sather stepping down as GM:
“Mr. Sather has been a legend in the game for years, and he’ll continue to stay involved. At the same time Jeff Gorton is a very deserving guy. He’s been a huge part of the team’s success, and I think it’s very deserving for him to be promoted to GM.”
“Early on, [Sather] was kinda hands-off with me, but that’s expected when you’re a young player. Over the years interacting with him, I’ve found him to be a very personable, caring guy. That’s probably what’s made him able to be around and be effective for so long. He truly has a passion for what he’s doing and cares about his players.”
On Martin St. Louis:
“I’ve played with Marty in Tampa and we’ve had some good playoff runs together. He’s a legend. He’s had such an amazing career, and he’s earned every piece of that. A character guy on and off the ice that I have a ton of respect for.
A consummate leader, too. You talk about approaching your job with passion—Marty’s that type of guy. He’s a former Smashfest participant, too. He’s got a mean ping-pong game. Him and I love to play together. I’ll miss him.”
On new Edmonton Oiler Cam Talbot:
“Cam is a guy who waited for his opportunity, and when it came, he just seized it. For some players, it happens a lot later. You often see that with goalies. They’ll be backing up a star for along time, and when they get their chance, they seize it. Cam did that. He got us to where we did in the regular season.
“We’re all happy for him to move to a place where he has a chance to be a starting goalie and advance his career that way. He’ll be missed, for sure, but we’re proud of him. He’s a gentleman—a real good guy that goes about his business every day. He’s a real steady presence in the locker room, a professional. That’s what’s helped him improve. Looking at where he came from as a college goalie to now, it’s been a steady increase every year in his skill.”
