Signed Gordie Howe jersey stolen from rink fundraiser
Jersey was meant to raise money for rink in Asquith, Sask.
An autographed Gordie Howe jersey, which was set to be raffled off as part of an annual fundraiser, has been stolen from the rink it was supposed to raise money for.
The jersey was taken from the arena in Asquith, Sask., around 40 kilometres west of Saskatoon, during a break-in sometime over the weekend.
Jodi Nehring with the Asquith community sports centre said Tuesday the theft has been particularly hard on kids who use the rink.
"Everyone was just shocked," Nehring told CBC Radio's Saskatoon Morning. "How could this possibly happen?"
Nehring said the fundraising loss could mean the difference for them as to whether or not they get to play hockey next year.
"We were so excited to receive [the jersey]," she said. "It was a really positive thing for our community."
She believes the jersey was specifically targeted by the thief.
"We had it up on display, to show everybody when we're selling tickets, and we'd put it in our back room and locked it up," Nehring said.
The jersey had been donated by someone who was related to the Howe family.
Howe died June 10, 2016, at the age of 88.
With files from CBC Radio's Saskatoon Morning