Elm Creek Minor Hockey Day is this weekend, and attendees will have a day of nothing but excitement.
On Saturday, Jan. 18, the Elm Creek Skating Rink will be busy from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with hockey games, silent auction draws, activities, and more. Elm Creek Minor Hockey Day is a day in the hockey season when all local teams—U7, U9, U11, and U13—play games one after the other. The day allows all players to cheer each other on and come together as one.
This year will be the town’s third Minor Hockey Day, and Elm Creek Minor Hockey president Craig Frost said the organization hopes to keep it going with continued support.
Eight hockey teams, four from different towns, spend time in the local arena. With a $5 entry fee for the day, silent auction prizes, 50/50 draws, a loonie stick, and chuck-a-puck games throughout the day, Elm Creek Minor Hockey Day is a big fundraiser for Elm Creek Minor Hockey.
“The money raised helps offset registration costs, referee fees, and allows our teams to attend tournaments without additional cost to the families,” said Frost.
The Elm Creek Skating Rink also has a newly renovated canteen ready for the day with a full supply of food, snacks, and drinks.
“The skating rink is in many ways the centre of our community in the winter months,” said Frost. “We love seeing the building packed with all ages. This is a great opportunity for community members to come and support our players and make them feel like they’re in the big leagues.”
Elm Creek Minor Hockey tries to keep fees as low as they can for families so the sport of hockey can be affordable for everyone interested in it. Frost said team sports like hockey build life skills for the players that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
“It’s about much more than making it to the NHL,” he said. “Our goal is to keep hockey accessible for everyone in the community and surrounding area. Minor Hockey Day is one way we try to achieve this. It’s just a great day to come have a rink burger and hot chocolate and celebrate hockey in Elm Creek.”
The day will start at 9 a.m. with U13 Elm Creek Lightning playing Notre Dame. At 10:35 a.m. will be Chuck-a-Puck, followed by U7 Elm Creek Lightning facing off against St. Claude. At 12 p.m., U9 Elm Creek Lightning will play Winkler 1; at 1:20 p.m. will be the second Chuck-a-Puck, and at 1:30 p.m., U11 Elm Creek Lightning will play Altona. The day will end with the silent auction and loonie stick draws at 2:30 p.m. 50/50 will be drawn throughout the day at the end of each game’s second period.
