Sticks on the pavement, Wolverines versus local kids

 

The Whitecourt Wolverines hit the streets on October 15 for their yearly Street Hockey Day sponsored by Booster Juice where local families are encouraged to invite the team over for a game. This is the third year for the event and thanks to amazing weather, the turnout proved fantastic.

For a couple of hours, the Wolverines were split up at different locations including homes on Olson, Mink Creek, Spruce, and Merrifield as well as the rink at Central School. On Park Drive, at the home of Kristin Dowsett and her family, the driveway was cleared in anticipation of their 1 p.m. game.

This is the second event that the Dowsett family has hosted inviting friends to come by and join in on the fun. “It’s different to play street hockey than it is on the ice because there is more freedom.” The Dowsetts also billet one of the Wolverines, #23 Cody Laskosky. “My oldest loves hockey too much to not take part in this event,” said Kristin.

After the game all the kids who took part, along with their parents and siblings, came together to have some food and enjoy a bonfire in the backyard. “They all get along really well and they have a wonderful time,” said Kristin, adding, “it’s a great day.” She encourages more families to sign up next year. “You can make this as easy or as complicated as you want. There’s really no reason to not participate and it’s fun.”

At least 100 kids took part in the afternoon festivities scattered throughout the community from driveways to streets and rinks. Sales and Communication Manager for the Wolverines, Andrew Peard, said he and the team had a blast. “It’s always great to see our guys interact with the young kids because they are our biggest fans and now it’s a chance for them to play alongside our players. The kids love it and our players really like being out here.”

Andrew added that the players were talking about the street hockey event while being bused home from an away game recently. “They were all talking about it on the bus and couldn’t wait until today so it’s pretty awesome.”

The Wolverines have a home stretch coming up with three games at the Scott Safety Centre. The first is on Saturday, October 21 against the Calgary Canucks followed by the Drumheller Dragons on the 22^nd and the Fort McMurray Oil Barons on the 27^th.

“We’ve seen such great support so far from the community at our hockey games.  Attendance is way up, sponsorship is way up, and we’re very happy that the community continues to embrace our team. We’re going to continue pushing to win more hockey games and give them something to cheer about.”