Hockey Day in GA fun for all

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

Despite not having Flames alumni present and some players taking part in ball hockey due to the effect of warmer weather on the outdoor rink, didn’t faze 140 players, who still took part in Hockey Day in GA at the Gleichen Arena on Feb. 6.
Last year the event was able attract the likes of Flames alumnus Dana Murzyn, but due to scheduling conflicts were not able to attract them again this year, while the kids officially got to experience the new outdoor rink.
“Smiles on their faces,” said Cara Sheppard, vice president of the Gleichen Pond Hockey League. “How pond hockey works is it’s kind of a skate, do the shinny thing. There’s no travelling involved, there’s no games like in minor hockey. This is one of very few events where the kids get to come into the whole hockey tournament kind of experience.”
She added the event grew the players’ confidence because it provided them with more ice time, skating time and a little more experience playing with kids they haven’t been with before.
The event is always scheduled on CBC’s Hockey Day in Canada every year, and Sheppard hopes to gain the attention of television networks to show the world how popular pond hockey is.
“That’s what we’re hoping for to show the world that pond hockey is pretty cool and the kids are really enjoying it,” said Sheppard. “You don’t have to be in mainstream hockey in order to be a hockey player. These kids are hockey players and they’re having fun.”
Team Blue player Gabe Natatall played in his fourth installment of Hockey Day in Gleichen and said his favourite part of the day is coming out feeling good at the end because you never leave without scoring.
“Some people don’t get to play that much and this is their time where they actually get to show if they’re good or not,” said Natatall.