It was hard not to feel your inner eight year old come alive at the Canadian Tire Centre on Sunday afternoon, when the home of the Ottawa Senators was transformed into a children’s wonderland for families celebrating the 20th anniversary of Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice in Ottawa.

Guests were greeted by floating bubbles as they arrived at the building. Inside the arena, there were costumed stilt walkers, balloon artists, inflatable attractions, creative backdrops for family photos, upbeat music, cuddly mascots and plenty of food, drinks and treats. Clouds, stars and fluttering butterflies were whimsically worked into the décor by Avant-Garde Designs.

Some 600 family members, staff, volunteers and community partners gathered for the special community appreciation event.

“We had a hockey game in this arena about 14 hours ago,” event emcee Ian Mendes, vice president of communications for Ottawa Senators Hockey Club, said, marvelling at the arena’s quick turnaround. “And we won, by the way. 4-3.”

Speakers included the team’s president and CEO, Cyril Leeder, Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice (RNCH) CEO Megan Wright, and retired player Chris Neil. He and his wife Caitlin have been longtime supporters of RNCH. Neil remains vice president of business and community development for the team.

Also out to show her support was Vera Etches, president and CEO of pediatric health-care institution CHEO.

From left, Jacqueline Belsito, president of the Senators Community Foundation; event emcee Ian Mendes, vice president of communications with the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club; minority owner Anna Melnyk; retired player Chris Neil, vice president of business and community development, and Caitlin Neil; Ottawa Senators president and CEO Cyril Leeder; and minority owner and Foundation board member Olivia Melnyk at the Canadian Tire Centre for the 20th Anniversary Community Appreciation Event for Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Megan Wright, CEO of Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice, and Vera Etches, president and CEO of pediatric health-care institution CHEO, at the Canadian Tire Centre for the 20th Anniversary Community Appreciation Event for Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Irene Compton, co-founder of Indigenous women’s support centre Minwaashin Lodge, opened the formal program, followed by brief remarks by 12-year-old Florian Gumpert Bell, whose older brother, Emanuel, 15, benefits from the hospice’s programs and services.

“Knowing he has a place where he can have fun, make friends and spend time with people who genuinely care means so much to me,” said Gumpert Bell, who participates in the RNCH program geared toward brothers and sisters. “As a sibling to a brother with a life-limiting condition, it can sometimes be a unique experience, but at Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice, I’ve met other siblings who share similar journeys.”

He spoke about RNCH as “a second home filled with kindness, comfort and people who genuinely care” and thanked the place for the “special memories” it’s helped to create for him and his family.

RNCH has been part of the Gumpert Bell family’s life for years, through its most difficult times. The parents turned to the hospice for bereavement support after the accidental death of their toddler son Etienne at his daycare in 2011. They have spoken publicly in the past about how RNCH helped them through their unimaginable loss.

After Florian was born, the first place his mom took him was RNCH, where his brother Emanuel was receiving respite care. As Florian said, “Before I even got home, Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice was already part of my life.”

Florian was rewarded at the end of his remarks with cheers and applause, with Mendes praising him for having “knocked it out of the park” in front of such a packed crowd.

Florian Gumpert Bell spoke in front of some 600 guests at the 20th Anniversary Community Appreciation Event for Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice, held at the Canadian Tire Centre on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. Standing behind him are Ian Mendes, vice president of communications for the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club, and Chris Neil, vice president of business and community development for the Ottawa Senators and longtime champion of RNCH. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Irene Compton wore an “Every Child Matters” T-shirt in recognition of Truth and Reconciliation while taking part in the 20th Anniversary Community Appreciation Event for Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice at Canadian Tire Centre on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The Canadian Tire Centre was the perfect venue for the large celebration, given the Senators’ involvement with the pediatric hospice since the very beginning. Located on the grounds of CHEO, RNCH provides specialized palliative care, respite and family support for children and youth with life-limiting illnesses, from diagnosis through end-of-life care and bereavement.

The hospice was named after former NHL coach Roger Neilson, who died of cancer in 2003. Senators president and CEO Cyril Leeder described him as a “unicorn” in professional hockey and a man who devoted his life to hockey, God and children.

“He didn’t drink, he didn’t smoke, he didn’t swear ever and he attended church regularly. And as far as we could tell, every dollar that Roger had ever made coaching in the NHL was put into some program for children,” said Leeder, sharing how Neilson opened his home in Peterborough to young people who needed a place to stay. Neilson was hardly ever there, anyway.

Neilson joined the Senators as an assistant coach in 2000, having been diagnosed less than a year earlier. “We hired Roger knowing that the prognosis was not good, but we did so knowing that it was the right thing to do for us, for Roger and for the game of hockey,” said Leeder.

Cyril Leeder, president and CEO of the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club, spoke about the enduring legacy of Roger Neilson, whose name and spirit continue to live on through the children’s hospice, located on the grounds of CHEO. Photo by Caroline Phillips

During his time with the team, Neilson reached his 1,000-game coaching milestone in the NHL (head coach Jacques Martin stepped aside for a couple of games to help him get there). As well, the Senators won their only Presidents’ Trophy at the end of the 2002-03 regular season.

In the Eastern Conference final, the Sens trailed the New Jersey Devils 3-1 before Neilson delivered an impassioned speech to the players after Game 4. The Sens won Game 5, then Game 6 in New Jersey in overtime, forcing a deciding Game 7 in Ottawa. They lost on a late New Jersey goal, but Neilson’s speech is one of those moments people still talk about, said Leeder.

Roughly a month later, Neilson passed away at age 69.

Before Neilson’s death, he had turned down offers to have his name attached to projects in his memory. But when the idea of creating a hospice for children was raised, he agreed. “Roger immediately said yes,” said Leeder.

The community leaders behind the project figured it would take three or four years to raise the money. It took less than a year, a pace that Leeder called “a true testament to the spirit of giving in our community and how much people respected and cared for Roger.”

Leeder gave special shout-outs to CIBC’s Chad Schella, who spent years with the Ottawa Senators organization and recently joined the board of RNCH, former hockey club president and CEO Roy Mlakar, former Ottawa Senators Foundation president Dave Ready and the late Roly Hein, a leader in the construction industry, for their efforts in helping to raise the $5 million needed from the community.

Glen Morley, founder and former president of Morley Construction (now Morley Hoppner), was part of the construction effort. “It’s hard to put into words,” Morley said of his involvement in the project. “It was just such a wonderful experience to see the whole community come together to build this place.”

Brad Morley, Donna Morley and Glen Morley, founders of Morley Construction (now Morley Hoppner), took part in the 20th Anniversary Community Appreciation Event held at Canadian Tire Centre on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Leeder spoke about the Senators’ 20-year relationship with Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice, from helping build the facility to still supporting it annually through its charitable foundation and visits from the players.

He did take some ribbing for not wearing the special yellow necktie created to celebrate the 20th anniversary. Mendes and Neil were both wearing it.

“Cy did not get the memo about the tie,” joked Mendes before acknowledging that it was more his fault than Leeder’s. “To his defence, I kind of indicated it might be a little more casual event.”

Word had obviously reached Tennessee, where former Senators player Mike Fisher lives with his country music superstar wife, Carrie Underwood, and their family. He wore his yellow necktie for his video remarks, where a hint of Southern twang could be heard. Fisher was very close with Neilson and worked at his hockey camp in Peterborough. He also served as the original honorary chair of RNCH before passing the role to his good friend and former teammate Neil.

Before RNCH, families of children with life-limiting illnesses “had to bear that burden alone,” said CHEO Foundation president and CEO Steve Read, speaking in a video about how little support was available to families at the time. The video also featured Cindylynn Lacelle and RNCH board member Janet Wilson, two mothers who have each experienced the loss of a child, Emil and Patrick, respectively.

Megan Wright acknowledged that there are heavy days that come with the work. But for her, they are outweighed by the support the hospice is able to provide families, she said.

“Bringing a baby into this world is a very joyous experience, and I feel being able to provide families with the support they need at the end of life is just as important,” said Wright. “And I take a lot of pride in the fact that we can alleviate some of their stress and anxiety through our programs and services.”

She shared a story via video about a 15-year-old boy who had been staying at the hospice. “One morning, he told me that he wanted to talk to me later in the day. He said, ‘Do you have time for a meeting with me?’ And I said, ‘Yes, absolutely.’”

Wright said she looked to his mom, who nodded her approval.

“At two o’clock, he came down to my office. He wanted to know if I knew anybody in heaven that he could be friends with,” said Wright, pausing for a moment as she fought back tears.

It was a sobering reminder of why the hospice exists.

RNCH is also looking beyond Ottawa as it enters its next 20 years, according to the organization. The hospice supports Canada’s Pediatric Palliative Care Alliance, a national initiative focused on improving access to pediatric palliative care across the country.

Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice families gathered at the front of the room to watch a special children’s music video created by the kids for the 20th Anniversary Community Appreciation Event held at Canadian Tire Centre on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Megan Wright, CEO of Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice, with longtime supporter Chris Neil, a retired Ottawa Senators player and current vice president of business and community development for the team, at the 20th Anniversary Community Appreciation Event held at Canadian Tire Centre on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

A stilt walker spread his wings high above the crowd at Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice’s 20th anniversary community celebration held at Canadian Tire Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Kyle McCarney, regional manager for Inflector Environmental Services, and his wife, Hannah McCarney, with Hannah’s parents, Maddy’s Gala chairs and founders Jeanine Otto and Dean Otto, sporting his 20th-anniversary Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice necktie at the anniversary community appreciation event held at Canadian Tire Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Retired Ottawa Senators player Chris Neil, vice president of business and community development for the Ottawa Senators, called Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice a “truly remarkable place” during the 20th Anniversary Community Appreciation Event held at Canadian Tire Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice board member Janet Wilson, KoW Connected founder Karen Wood, Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival CEO John Brooman, Michelle Crogie, executive director of the non-profit family peer support organization Pleo, and a photo-bombing stilt walker at the Canadian Tire Centre for the 20th Anniversary Community Appreciation Event for Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Scott Williams, executive board member and charities chair for the Ottawa Professional Fire Fighters Association, and Steve Read, president and CEO of CHEO Foundation, at the Canadian Tire Centre on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, for the 20th Anniversary Community Appreciation Event for Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ashley Greco, co-host of The Morning Pickup on Pure Country 94, with her husband, John Wilkinson, and their daughter Aria, at the Canadian Tire Centre on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, for the 20th Anniversary Community Appreciation Event for Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Children were invited to help colour a series of murals created by artist Robbie Lariviere for Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice at the 20th Anniversary Community Appreciation Event held at Canadian Tire Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Back row from left: Michelle Bouchard, Geneviève Chabot, Bruno Perrier; and front row, from left: Chris Packman, Mary Patrick Schlosser, CHEO Foundation’s Steve Read, Janet Wilson, Tammy DeGiovanni, Megan Wright, Nahal Yazdani, Stephanie Poirier, Ian Hendry, Celine Fu, Kira Goodman, Mike Lupiano and Patrick Goodhue with his daughter Peyton are among the board members and senior leadership team at Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice, which celebrated its 20th anniversary with a special community appreciation event at Canadian Tire Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ottawa Senators executive and former sports journalist Ian Mendes with his wife, freelance writer Sonia Mendes, and their daughter, Lily Mendes, who worked this past summer as an intern at Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice, at the Canadian Tire Centre on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, for the 20th Anniversary Community Appreciation Event. Photo by Caroline Phillips

A mother snaps a photo of longtime Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice supporter Chris Neil with her son after the retired Ottawa Senators player signed the boy’s No. 25 jersey at the 20th Anniversary Community Appreciation Event at Canadian Tire Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Stephen McGill, president and creative director of McGill Buckley, and KoW Connected founder Karen Wood proudly sported the anniversary neckties at the 20th anniversary party for Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice, which their companies helped brand and promote. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice board chair Michelle Bouchard (left), a partner at HW Partners, and RNCH CEO Megan Wright with one of the event’s colourful butterfly performers at the 20th Anniversary Community Appreciation Event. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Families arriving at Canadian Tire Centre were greeted by bubbles floating outside the entrance to the building for the 20th Anniversary Community Appreciation Event for Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Inside the Canadian Tire Centre for the 20th Anniversary Community Appreciation Event for Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice. Photo by Caroline Phillips