Funds raised support care for children with serious illnesses and their families
Chilliwack, B.C. (July 23, 2026): On Saturday, August 1, the 5th and final Markus Schouten Memorial Roller Hockey Tournament will take place. What began in 2022 will once again see six best friends tightening their rollerblades and hitting the hockey box for a day-long roller hockey tournament honouring their late friend, Markus Schouten, and raising funds to support Canuck Place Children’s Hospice.
Canuck Place is BC and the Yukon’s only pediatric palliative care provider, caring for 1,035 children with serious illnesses and the families who love them.
Markus passed away at Canuck Place on May 29, 2022 from Metastatic Ewing Sarcoma. When his friends Carson, Marcus, Eric, Levi, James, and Lincoln visited him in the days before he passed, Markus asked only one thing of his friends—to get a new set of rollerblades to play hockey on. In his words, “so you have something to do this summer other than watch your screens.”
And play hockey they did. For the past four years on the Saturday closest to Markus’ birthday, Markus’ friends have gathered their friends, family, and the Schouten family to play roller hockey and raise funds to support Canuck Place. Since 2022, they have raised over $150,000, and this year they want to end with a bang! This year, they hope to raise $100,000 and bring their lifetime total to over $250,000.
"We’re so grateful for the care and guidance Canuck Place provided to Markus and his family. This is a way we can give back and help other families in similar circumstances. It has also kept us connected and brought us together to do some good."
Markus' friends
Markus' friends during a cheque presentation with Canuck Place
The tournament will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 5840 Blackburn Road, Chilliwack. Anyone interested in helping Markus’ friends meet their goal can visit Markus Schouten Memorial Roller Hockey Tournament - Canuck Place Children's Hospice to make a donation.
You can learn more about Markus and his brave battle on his blog, On the Mark Maintenance, that was initially created to follow his adventure on becoming a landscaping entrepreneur and documented his cancer journey.
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About Canuck Place Children’s Hospice: Canuck Place is a centre of excellence for children’s palliative care. Children with serious illnesses and their families receive specialist-led, family-centred care in BC and the Yukon. A comprehensive program focused on improving quality of life is accessible for over 1,035 children and families addressing physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. Canuck Place offers pediatric advance care planning, provincial 24-Hour Clinical Care Line, pain and symptom management, family support and respite, end-of-life, grief, loss, and bereavement care. Patient families are supported in hospitals and homes, and through two hospices located in Vancouver and Abbotsford with 10 patient beds and 8 family suites. Program services include nursing and physician care, psychosocial and spiritual care, education, music therapy, and recreation therapy. With a talented team, over 350 volunteers, the Canuck Place Research Initiative, knowledge and training programs for healthcare providers, and patient-family partners, we improve care for children with short lives and the families who love them. Canuck Place is a registered charity: #133867523 RR 0001. canuckplace.org
Media Contact:
Anna Stuber | anna.stuber@canuckplace.org
Anna Stuber | anna.stuber@canuckplace.org
