Celebrity to attend Hockey Day in GA

Posted on: jamacsadmin

 Shannon LeClair 

Times Reporter
 
Getting kids on the ice and enjoying the game is just one motivating factor behind the pond hockey program in Gleichen and their annual Hockey Day in GA event.  Spreading the love of the sport is another. 
In 2009 Hockey Day in GA began. There were 45 kids initially registered in 2009, and the numbers grew to 150 participants by 2012. 
Each year it is a surprise what the weather will bring. One year it was a chinook that had most of the ice melting, and last year Hockey Day happened to fall on the coldest day of the year.
“Bundle up and come ready. Probably what I am going to do is I’m going to go get those hotshots and stuff and put them in the kids swag bags as well. The kids will have hotshots for their gloves and their skates (to) keep their toes and fingers warm,” said Gleichen Pond Hockey President Cara Sheppard. 
This year’s event is scheduled to take place on Feb. 9. There are just over 100 kids who have registered. It’s a $5 cost for each participant and the registration fee will see each player receive three shinny style games, lunch, and leave with a tournament souvenir. There will also be a celebrity guest attending the Hockey Day in Gleichen. 
“Hockey Alberta has got us an Edmonton Oilers/New York Rangers alumni hockey player to come out as a celebrity to our event this year,” said Sheppard. 
Jason Strudwick began his NHL career with the New York Islanders in 1996. He played as a free agent with the Rangers for the 2005-06 season, and signed a one-year contract for 2007-08. It was in 2008 when he signed with the Edmonton Oilers, the team he retired with on May 24, 2012. 
Sheppard had asked Hockey Alberta about bringing out a celebrity for the kids to meet. She wants them all to see that pond hockey is really hockey and where it all began.  
For any players who are not currently insured through Hockey Alberta, the Hockey Day is supported by Hockey Alberta with the ‘Bring a friend’ program. With the program players are covered by insurance for the event.