Hockey for hunger

Posted on: Staff Writer

From edition: December 14 2023 Strathmore Times

By Melissa Piche Times Contributor

Crowther Memorial Junior High students hosted their annual Hockey for Hunger campaign on Dec.2 at the Strathmore Family Centre.

Photo Courtesy of Crowther Memorial Junior High School

Crowther Memorial Junior High held their annual Hockey for Hunger campaign on Dec. 2 at the Strathmore Family Centre.

This is the 10th year that the school has hosted a hockey program, and as a result, the Hockey for Hunger game (minus the two COVID years).

Organized by Brad Huntley, a teacher at the school who runs the school’s hockey program, the event is a major fundraising event for the Strathmore and Wheatland County Christmas Hamper Society.

“This is a special event for just the Grade 9 hockey program students,” said Huntley. “We had to pull up one Grade 8 student as we only have 1 grade 9 goalie.” 

The hockey program has 65 students enrolled, 24 of whom are Grade 9 students who took part in the game and compete in the U15 level of league hockey. 

The entire school filled the Civic Centre, approximately 500 bodies, cheering on their fellow students. 

Volunteers required for an event of this size meant reaching out to the Strathmore High School recreational leadership students, who were eager to help. 

The students attending the hockey game had a chance to win some great door prizes. If they brought in a donation for the food bank they received a raffle ticket that gave them the chance to win one of six prizes, ranging from toques to hockey paraphernalia. 

“(It’s an) inner squad game with Team Black and Team Red, consisting of three 15-minute periods, which ended in a tie,” he said. “That meant a sudden death shootout where we started with three shooters for each team, which didn’t settle anything.” Team Red eventually won in the fifth round of the shootout.

Huntley said this game was terrific to watch. 

“The game this year really highlighted our hockey program well,” said Huntley. “It was a really fun even game. Both teams put on a good display of teamwork and sportsmanship and competitive spirit.”

For more information on Crowther Memorial Junior Highs hockey program, you can visit their website (https://sites.google.com/ghsd75.ca/cmjhs-hcsa/home).