If anyone ever doubted that north and central Dufferin are hotbeds of hockey, those doubts would have been dispelled by the enthusiasm that greeted Aaron Downey and the Stanley Cup in Shelburne and Honeywood on the Canada Day weekend.

And if anyone ever believed that Aaron, who has just been signed for another year as a right winger with Detroit Red Wings, would forget about his roots, they now have reason to believe otherwise.

Last Thursday night, at the Shelburne arena, Aaron delivered cheques of $4,500 each to the Shelburne and the Honeywood minor hockey associations, along with cheques of $500 each to the figure skating clubs in both centres.

And, next Saturday night at Shelburne, he'll be skating in a fundraising game between House9 Stars and Shelburne Muskies to raise more money in support of kids who might be able to use a bit of assistance to play. (See House9 story inside.)

He traces fulfilment of his youthful dreams of an NHL career to his minor hockey experience, but acknowledges that some NHL players came up through figure skating. "Some of our guys (were figure skaters)," he said.

He did not take credit for the contributions, preferring instead to give that to the crowds who came to welcome their Stanley Cup Champion home with the coveted mug.

"It was an amazing day," he said as he marvelled at the community spirit displayed in both centres for his appearance on June 29.

There had been a Downey Farms-sponsored massive reception at Honeywood, along with sales of sweatshirts and other memorabilia, plus plenty of food and entertainment.

"We didn't charge admission," he said. "But we walked away with $10,000," which has now all come back to the community.

Depending on where the game is being played, Aaron might not always get an enthusiastic reception.

The muscular right-winger is known as "an enforcer," which might have something to do with his career total of 487 penalty minutes in 239 games. He is not a man to be trifled with on the ice. You can view the evidence on YouTube.

These off-season days, you might not find him practising his swing on the golf links, as most NHL players are purported to do.

Rather, you would find him at a Kitchener arena at hockey practices.

"We're all in top shape when we go to camp" at the start of the hockey season, he said.

And he's expecting in 2009 to repeat the Stanley Cup Experience. "Two years back to back? I don't see why not," he said