This year’s theme of Scotiabank Hockey in Canada is “community” which suits the Lloydminster Bobcats just fine. The Bobcats are a community owned team and an important part of not just the hockey scene, but off the ice as well. The Bobcats lend their time to volunteer and help out in the community with various organizations most recently teaming up with the MS Society “Snow Angels”, and lending a helping hand with many local businesses.
Not only will the Bobcats be showcased with a feature story during CBC’s day coverage of Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada, but viewers from coast to coast will be tuning in during the evenings broadcast for ‘Coach’s Corner’ with Don Cherry and Ron MacLean being recorded from the Centennial Civic Centre in Lloydminster. The AJHL game between the Bobcats and Sherwood Park Crusaders will also be featured throughout the night on national television.
GM/Coach Garry VanHereweghe believes a tremendous opportunity has presented itself for the city, and the team to be involved in a nationally recognized event, “Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada has become such a national showcase, as a team we all feel very privileged and thankful just to be part of the event. This really demonstrates the true meaning of what community hockey is all about.”
The Bobcats will be on the biggest stage they’ve seen to date, Garry VanHereweghe believes it will be a success as long as they stick together, “we as a team, will take all steps necessary to ensure that the event is represented and supported in the best way possible and demonstrate throughout this event, the reasons why Lloydminster is a community you would want to call home and play hockey at any level.”
As for the vibe in between players in the Bobcats locker room, captain Grant Baker says it’s something they can’t wait to be a part of, “everyone is excited, it’s hard to tell how big it’s actually going to be, the weeks leading up to it the excitement will just grow, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to be on a stage like that.”
Though there will be hockey to be played that night, and getting a victory over the Sherwood Park Crusaders is their top priority, there will be much to take in on Saturday night, “to meet Ron and Don, we grew up watching them as a kid on CBC, I think it’s just going to be a great experience for everybody,” Grant Baker added.
CBC’s broadcast of Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada begins on Saturday, January 18th at 10:00 AM (MT), and includes four NHL game featuring all seven Canadian teams. Ron MacLean will be hosting outdoors just outside of the Centennial Civic Centre, then will move indoors to take in the AJHL game between the Bobcats and Sherwood Park Crusaders, where Don Cherry and Ron MacLean will be formally introduced to the players and fans.
For more information on everything related to 2014 Scotiabank Hockey Day In Canada, please visit lloydminster.ca/shdic.
Note: The AJHL game on Saturday, January 18th between the Lloydminster Bobcats and Sherwood Park Crusaders is at 5:00 PM. This game is included in the season ticket holder package, no rush tickets will be accepted for this game.