Braden Holtby mask auction raises more than $27,000

A mask used by Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby during the World Cup of Hockey 2016 and featuring images of Gord Downie, lead singer of iconic Canadian rock band The Tragically Hip, raised more than $27,000 (Canadian) in an online auction.
Holtby, who played for Team Canada, had the mask designed to include a collage of images of Downie, who announced May 24 that he had been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.

"Like so many others, I have been truly inspired by the courage Gord Downie has shown, and I was very appreciative that he embraced the design of my Team Canada goalie mask," Holtby told the National Hockey League Players' Association. "I am very proud to have been a part of supporting these two important funds in Mr. Downie's honor, and I appreciate everyone's help in making this auction a success."
Downie and Holtby met after Team Canada's 4-2 victory against Team USA at the World Cup on Sept. 20.
Holtby's mask was listed on Auctions.NHL.com from Sept. 20 until Oct. 10, with the assistance of the National Hockey League, Fanatics Authentics and Commerce Dynamics.

The money raised by the auction was split between two charitable organizations. The
Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research
at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto is where Downie is being treated. The
Gord Downie Secret Path for Truth and Reconciliation
supports the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation's initiatives at the University of Manitoba, providing preservation and education on the historical significance of Canada's abolished First Nations Residential Schools program.