The West Kelowna Warriors swapped their hockey sticks and puck for a ringette stick and a ring on Sunday for the 3rd Annual Battle of the Blades.

The Warriors hosted the Kelowna Ringette Association’s All-star team at the Royal LePage Place to raise funds for the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, which is based out of Edmonton. 

This foundation is particularly special to both parties because this is where the Warriors biggest fan and supporter, Brendan Ritchie is undergoing treatment for Pulmonary Hypertension. 

“Probably one of the toughest kids I know he’s been diagnosed with a rare disease called Pulmonary Hypertension. He’s dealt with a lot of different hurdles in his life but this is probably the biggest one,” says Chase Johnston, director of media relations for the West Kelowna Warriors. 

Pulmonary Hypertension is a condition where the blood flow that leaves the right side of the heart facing an increased resistance (pressure), this makes it hard for Brendan to perform high intensity exercise. 

Ritchie recently underwent surgery, which was a success but the recovery hasn’t been that easy. 

“It’s almost like everyday has been completely different, it’s either really good or really bad - today was not a good day according to his mother,” adds Johnston. 

“Brendan is an inspiration to all of us and its really nice when he is able to show up to the rink and give us a little fist bump before the game." says Ryan Novecosky, defenceman for the West Kelowna Warriors.

"It kind of gives us an extra boost of energy, so to be able to do something for him is just an awesome opportunity,”  

Despite the Warriors disappointing seasons over the last couple of years Ritchie has given the club something to smile about. 

“One shining light has always been Brendan Ritchie,” says Johnston. 

The ringette all-star team has beaten the Warriors in all past competitions. 

“Our team has no returners, so no-one has done it before so I think with the fresh squad we might be able to pull it out,” says Novecosky. 

Organizer and community liaison for the West Kelowna Warriors Grace Dixon says her team isn’t going to take it easy on them because she knows if they lose the hockey players will never let her live it down. 

“They better keep on their toes, we have a lot of high level girls playing today, so a lot of behind the back passes, tricks and stuff that we don’t normally pull out during a ringette game but because they’re probably going to give us a lot of space we’ll be able to pull them out today,” says Dixon.

“It’s always nice to try something new… Putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes because a lot of girls play ringette so see how the differences are with playing hockey versus ringette,” says Novecosky. 

The Stollery Children’s Hospital is a full-service paediatric hospital that treats infants, children and youth with complex conditions. For updates on Ritchie’s journey, follow their Facebook page.