'Tim McGill Cup' to Honor Soldier Killed in Afghanistan

At the end of the month, alums of two longtime rival teams will come together to honor a past teammate who they say has shaped not only both teams, but the two communities they represent.

On Friday, November 29 at 6 p.m. at the Ice Vault in Wayne, Mahwah High School and Ramsey High School ice hockey alumni from 2008 and earlier will play one another in the First Annual “Tim McGill Memorial Cup”.

SSG Timothy McGill, of Ramsey, was a highly decorated member of the elite Special Forces Unit, the Green Berets. The 30-year-old was killed in action in Afghanistan on September 21. 

According to the game’s organizers, Tim played street, roller and ice hockey in the Mahwah D.A.R.E. program, that his dad Ray, a former Captain of the Mahwah Police Department, started in Mahwah. 

“It was a no brainer to do this in Tim’s memory,” event Chair Don Minassian said of how organizers decided to put together the event.

“I can’t say enough how much Tim and the McGill family mean to hockey in this area and to both towns.”

Organizers say anyone who has played ice hockey in Mahwah or Ramsey has the McGill family to thank.

“As both the Mahwah and Ramsey ice hockey programs can trace their roots to  [the D.A.R.E. program Ray started], it is very appropriate that these two organizations will come together to honor Tim’s memory,” Don’s wife, Meg, said in a release about the Cup. 

“While Tim may have grown up in Ramsey and played for the Ramsey High School Hockey Team, Mahwah hockey considered him one of their own.”

Don said the alums from both towns will have the entire McGill family in mind when stepping onto the ice.

“It’s only appropriate for both teams to come together to thank the McGill family for not only Tim’s sacrifice, but also for all they’ve done for hockey in both of the towns,” Don said.

Organizers from both towns will ask everyone who attends the game to make a $5 donation that will be donated, in Tim’s memory, to the Wounded Warrior Fund.

“Hopefully, if all goes well, we can honor Tim, help the Wounded Warriors, and make this an annual event,” Don Minassian said.

Those who cannot attend but would like to make a donation in McGill’s name can make a check out to the Wounded Warriors Fund and send it to the Mahwah Ice Hockey Association, 115 Franklin Turnpike, PMB #263, Mahwah, New Jersey 07430.  Donations can also be made online by visiting www.mahwahhockey.com.