Martin Comeback Classic hockey tournament sets $60,000 fundraising goal for family in need

PALMERSTON – Eight hockey teams are set to face off at the Palmerston and District Community Centre next weekend to benefit the Martin family.

It’s the fifth year the tournament, organized by Winston Shantz, will raise money for a local family in need.

Scott Martin, a mechanical engineer who grew up in Elmira, was left paralyzed from the neck down over the Mother’s Day weekend from a mysterious spinal cord infection.

His mother, Laurie Martin, told the Advertiser by phone from Yatton the paralysis quickly spread from his legs at the start of the weekend. By Sunday, he was intubated as he lost control of his lungs.

“There were two times during this journey where they thought he wasn’t going to survive,” Laurie said, adding doctors haven’t pinned down a definitive cause.

After three months in intensive care Scott is breathing on his own and working to regain mobility while staying at St. Joseph’s Health Care’s Parkwood Institute in London. 

Laurie said he faces years of recovery.

Scott’s wife, Hannah, visits him daily with their 20-month-old son Jack in tow in between shifts as a neonatal intensive care nurse.

With Scott now using a wheelchair, the couple sold its London home because it wasn’t accessible. Laurie said Scott will also need a costly motorized wheelchair and a modified vehicle to accommodate it.

Laurie said the family, now on a reduced income, will need help as expenses add up over the years ahead.

Two of Scott’s old hockey buddies, Alex Uttley and Luke Brown, reached out to Shantz on his behalf, Laurie said.

“We were looking for someone to do this year’s tournament for, so it just kind of fit perfectly,” Shantz said.

Money raised through the tournament, coined the Martin Comeback Classic,”will go toward Scott’s recovery and supporting his family.

The tournament raised $62,900 in 2023, $62,600 in 2024 and about $36,000 last year.

Shantz, who said attendance was down in 2025, expects the arena to be full again next weekend.

“We can’t thank the community enough for the support, not just financially, but the prayers, the notes, the food … just the love we feel through all of that,” Laurie said.

“That’s what’s getting us through this.”

The community can come out to watch a game, grab some food and donate toward a $60,000 fundraising goal.

Games run Oct. 23 from 7 to 11pm, and Oct. 24 from 8am to 7pm, with a ceremonial pick drop at noon. 

Eight teams will be whittled down until two face off in a 6pm final on Oct. 24.

Seven of the eight teams are returning, Shantz said.

“This year, we got one new team, and it’s a team of a bunch of Scott’s old teammates,” he said. 

New at this year’s tournament is a silent auction and raffle prizes donated by community members and businesses.

“I’m just looking forward to seeing the community come together again this year [to] support Scott and Hannah on their journey,” Shantz said.