Hockey heroes such as Hayley Wickenheiser and Edmonton Oilers alumni hit the ice in Cold Lake to celebrate a momentur occasion.
On Saturday, Dec. 15 at the Cold Lake Energy Centre, the 401 Squadron commemorated 100 years with Operation Hockey Heroes.
Wickenheiser was named honourary colonel for the 401 Squadron.
Executive director for the 4 Wing Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC), Floyd Perras, noted the event was a good way to give back to the area.
“From our standpoint, it’s a great morale boost from the community. It lets families come, all they had to do was bring an item for the food bank, which also gets to be a winner today, and we’re happy for that. It’s just a very exciting weekend for us,” he expressed.
Along with requesting a non-perishable food donation as an entry fee, the MFRC raised funds for the Poppy Campaign and their own programming.
Wickenheiser said she hopes to see the event grow in the future.
“It was nice to be here in Cold Lake. It’s a beautiful facility, and to have the firstever Hockey Heroes game (is great). To mix the kids, forces, and sponsors, and have the Oilers involvement, I hope it’s the start of something really great here in Cold Lake,” she emphasized.
Lucky members of Cold Lake Minor Hockey joined Wickenhesier and Edmonton Oilers alumni Doug Hicks, Shawn Belle, Dave Lumley, Mark Fistric, and Brian Benning on the ice.
Player Cash Seguin described the opportunity to play against such the big names in hockey as amazing.
“We had to skate harder since there was more tough players. The goalies were better than they usually are,” he said.
Perras stressed the importance of everyone coming together for the event.
“These are well-known, international people that are coming and giving their time... It’s a very good partnership between MFRC and the base, as well as the city, minor hockey, the fire fighters, and police. Everybody came together to make this happen,” he exclaimed.
Wickenheiser said, “The kids were great, and I think they had a lot of fun. When you’re out there alongside Stanley Cup champs and NHL players, getting passes (from them).”
While the event coincided with her honourary colonel assignment, Wickenhesier saw it as much more than that.
“It’s always been special to come to Cold Lake. It’s a sports town, a hockey town, and it’s really the small communities that make up Canada,” she explained.
