There will be a full roster of events Saturday, Feb. 25, at the arena beginning at 9 a.m. and continuing into the evening.
“It’s our way of recognizing and honouring the good ol’ hockey game as our nation’s sport,” says Suzy Atwood, tourism/community development officer with the municipality.
“The game of hockey has always played an important role in the municipality. It's always been a way of community coming together to cheer on their local hockey heroes, whether it's the Shelburne County Flames, the local high school team, Ice Dogs, or the Sable Fish Packers of days gone by,” Atwood says. “People come together, socialize, cheer on their favourite teams and really enjoy themselves. They remember the moments the game has given us, provincial championships, the good and bad calls, those amazing plays, the friendships it creates and lasting memories…that's the game of hockey.”
There will be a full roster of events Saturday, Feb. 25, at the arena beginning at 9 a.m. and continuing into the evening.
“It’s our way of recognizing and honouring the good ol’ hockey game as our nation’s sport,” says Suzy Atwood, tourism/community development officer with the municipality.
“The game of hockey has always played an important role in the municipality. It's always been a way of community coming together to cheer on their local hockey heroes, whether it's the Shelburne County Flames, the local high school team, Ice Dogs, or the Sable Fish Packers of days gone by,” Atwood says. “People come together, socialize, cheer on their favourite teams and really enjoy themselves. They remember the moments the game has given us, provincial championships, the good and bad calls, those amazing plays, the friendships it creates and lasting memories…that's the game of hockey.”
Plenty of hockey fun will be happening, including a novice skills challenge, a future legend novice hockey game, a bantam C hockey card display and swap, a Shelburne County Archives and Genealogical display, a Windsor Hockey Heritage Society display and a free skate with hot dogs and hot chocolate.
The municipality will also bring in local legends hockey players who will play an east-versus-west game. That game is at 7 p.m. Admission is by donation, with proceeds benefiting the local minor hockey program.
One local legend is Jared Ross, who played four years in the NCAA at St. Lawrence University, where three times he was named to the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference All-Academic Team. Ross, who registered 48 points (22G/26A) and 138 penalty minutes in 134 games for the Saints, served as the team captain in his senior season, when he received the Terry Slater Perseverance Award for his performance with the team.
The Reading Royals of the ECHL and the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League signed Ross to their teams. He also played 48 regular-season games for the Providence Bruins of the AHL. Ross completed another six games for the Peoria Rivermen in 2011, before he took the plunge in Europe, where he played for the Lausitzer Füchse and then on to the SC Riessersee.
Others participating in the game include Barrington Warden Eddie Nickerson, Deputy Warden Jody Crook, Pat Goreham, Business Minister Mark Fury, Jordan Scott and Brendan Nickerson.
Peter Baylis, a Halifax man who has set on a journey to sing the national anthem 150 times this year, will be opening up the game with the national anthem.
“I think we all remember watching Sidney Crosby score the winning goal at the Olympics in Vancouver in 2010, the sense of Canadian pride it brought to us,” says Atwood. “It made us proud to be Canadian. It's moments like that we remember. It may not be on that grand of scale but in the game of hockey we share in moments like that and we remember them.”
