Hockey Day in Hanna Christmas Edition
By Gwen Snell
Freelance Journalist
Hockey Day in Hanna Christmas Edition took to the ice at the Hanna Arena on Friday, December 8 and Saturday, December 9. Organizers reported that all ten teams enjoyed a home game, with spectators coming out to support them.
Organizers were excited to bring Hockey Day back to Hanna after a few years of hiatus. "It's actually been a few years since we were able to enjoy Hockey Day in Hanna, so we are excited to have this great event back!" Looking back at previous success, the decision was made to continue being a family event and build on it with the Christmas season. "So it's festive, family-focused fun!"
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Friday night's opening ceremonies featured Courtney Campbell and Julia Caveanagh providing their vocal talents in leading the singing of O'Canada. Hanna Hawks Football team captains were honoured with the ceremonial puck drop at the U18 games on Friday night, formally kicking off the event.
Energy was high in the building for the U18's annual Christmas food drive in support of the Hanna Food Bank. A highlight for some was the "Toques, Toes and Mitts Toss" held during their game.
Hanna's Arena concession reflected the spirit with everything from popcorn and candy cane hot chocolate or apple cider starting Friday evening to the Saturday Pancake Breakfast. Saturday's menu included Christmas poutine (turkey, fires, stuffing, cranberries, cheese and gravy), a Christmas bun (turkey, stuffing, cranberries and gravy) or several chilli options.
Games started Saturday morning at 8 a.m. with the younger teams who are just beginning to learn the game, right up to the U15 team who faced Stettler at 6:30 p.m. It was a "busy day jam-packed full of hockey!"
Organized by a committee of 16 members, the support and volunteers spread beyond, with families and parents undertaking specific responsibilities for the event. This could include working a games table, raffles, and 50/50 to assist with the specialty menu items.
Hanna Minor Hockey had two goals for the event: "firstly to highlight the Association and local talent of the area and secondly to help generate some revenue for the Association - to help us maintain affordable ice fees as we strongly believe that we should keep financial farriers to hockey as low as possible, to ensure every child that wants to play the game, has an opportunity to do so." Organizers estimated conservatively that they would see approximately five hundred individuals enter the arena throughout the event. Based on the packed parking lot, crowded lobby and fairly full stands, it appears Hanna Minor Hockey accomplished its goals and exceeded its expectations.
"We'd like to sincerely thank the planning committee for all the hard work in putting this event together, as well as all the parent volunteers … prepping food, working booth shifts and running tables for the games and raffles. It takes a lot of people to make this event a success, and another key aspect of it is a solid relationship with the Town of Hanna and their wonderful employees. At the end of the day, if it wasn't for great town staff and on-ice officials, we could not have a successful event or Association, for that matter, so we are very lucky."