Nearly 100 kids laced up and skated with the Innisfail Eagles before their first practice on Innisfail ice for the 2014-15 season at the Innisfail Arena on Sept. 17.
Excited kids and their parents arrived before 5 p.m. to sign up to skate with the Innisfail Eagles and raise money for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Innisfail (BBBSI) and Boys and Girls Club of Innisfail.
Tim Howard, executive director of BBBSI, was excited at the turnout, which exceeded his expectations.
“This is a real testament to the partnership between Big Brothers, Boston Pizza, the Innisfail Eagles, and the fledgling Boys and Girls Club of Innisfail,” said Howard. “With our promotion in the schools, and through hockey clubs and the newspaper, we were able to make this a success.”
Boys and girls from Innisfail and area, aged four and up, dragged skates, sticks, and for the more experienced players, hockey bags packed with equipment in preparation for a brush with local hockey royalty.
“I'm looking forward to seeing the Eagles,” said nine-year-old Beth Smith of Innisfail on the prospect of skating with the team.
Her six-year-old brother, Nate, was not as interested in the Eagles but was there to skate, saying the experience was “awesome.”
In the foyer, Boston Pizza served up fresh slices of pizza, and three prizes of signed hockey memorabilia were up for grabs.
“We have a signed Curtis Glencross Roughstock jersey, a signed Eagles jersey, and an Eagles bunny hug in the draw,” said Danny Daines, an Eagles executive. “This is for the kids and Big Brothers.”
Meanwhile, on ice, Eagle mascot Easton and Boston Pizza's Lionel squared off and twirled around the young skaters, adding entertainment value to the evening.
Activities were held on the smaller ice surface to accommodate non-skaters to allow for every family member to enjoy the event.
When all was said and accounted for, the Skate Scrimmage was successful and the final tally was not yet determined, said Boston Pizza manager Allen Reinhart.
“We are excited that the event with our partners, the Eagles and Boston Pizza, created a positive atmosphere for the families and children who came out,” said Lucille Paquette-Lohman, Innisfail mentoring coordinator.
Information can be found at www.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/innisfail.
