Challenging weather did not dissuade parents and children from hitting the ice Dec. 9, when the Lloyd Orchard Community Arena hosted Hockey Day in Miami.
Families enjoyed a pancake breakfast and skated with Santa from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., before cheering on three minor hockey games between the Miami Rockets and Notre Dame Hawks. The fun continued in the evening with adults playing recreational hockey and kids enjoying sticks and pucks.
Overall, it was a great day for locals to gather and support local hockey players and the arena, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.
The day went well, despite some bad weather which created havoc on the roads, said Miami hockey organizer Brian Weir.
“The bad roads created some challenges,” he said. “We considered postponing the event but chose to still go ahead with things. One game was cancelled. Also, the opposing U9 team cancelled, so our U9 team just played their parents instead, which ended up being a lot of fun.”
Weir noted there was great attendance from the local community.
“We really appreciated the efforts made by all who were able to attend,” he said. “It was really nice to see the rink full of so many people from the community. Lots of young families came out to skate with Santa and enjoy some pancakes as well.”
The fundraising aspect of the day was a great success, too, thanks in part to the overwhelming support of local businesses and individual prizes and food donations.
Roughly $3,000 was raised from Hockey Day in Miami. Funds will go toward keeping the ice rental rate at the arena low for local community activities and groups.
