WHL Saskatoon Blades

Blades January Community Involvement

Published on February 6, 2008 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


With over 75 player appearances in the month of January alone, the Saskatoon Blades have kicked off 2008 with a bang.

In the month of January the Saskatoon Blades attended over 10 schools in the community and also took part in Novice hockey practices with over 30 teams. The Blades have taken part in nearly 300 player appearances since the start of the 2007/08 Western Hockey League season.

This document contains team promotions that have occurred so far this season as well as a day to day breakdown of team involvement in the month of November. It also includes photographs of events.

C95 Family Skate Day

The Saskatoon Blades wasted no time inviting their fans to join the team and its players as they hosted a Family Skate Day in partnership with C95 following their New Year's Day matinee game with the Calgary Hitmen.

Approximately 200 fans laced up their skates following the game and took part in an hour long skate with the entire Saskatoon Blades roster.

Those who took part in the skate received autographed hockey cards from the players as well as pictures and conversation.

Mothers Against Drinking and Driving Night

On January 12th the Saskatoon Blades teamed up with Mothers Against Drinking and Driving to help raise awareness for their non-profit organization.

MADD Sask employees were in attendance on the night distributing information brochures to those interested in being a part of MADD, selling magnetic red ribbons for $2 to help raise funds, as well as distribute free lollipops to all of the kids who stopped by the display.

Special MADD Sask prize draws were also made throughout the night.

Magic 98.3 Hockey Day in Saskatoon

Magic 98.3 radio, a proud supporter of the Saskatoon Blades, was a part of Hockey Day in Saskatchewan - a celebration of all levels of hockey throughout the province.

The Saskatoon Blades invited 6 novice hockey teams to play where the big boys play on Credit Union Centre ice beginning at 9:00am and running straight through till 12:00pm. The Renegade Thunder, Bobcat Roadrunners, Phantom Flyers, Comet Flames, Renegade Sharks, and Wild Fire were all treated to a morning of hockey and also received pre-game treats in their locker room stalls from the Saskatoon Blades.

Then, at 1:00pm, it was the Midget "AAA" All Stars turn as Team East and Team West squared off in the 2008 All Star game.

The Blades then took to home ice as they faced the Red Deer Rebels. A pre-game puck drop involving Mr. Jack Brodsky, Owner/Governor of the Saskatoon Blades (back left), Mr. Greg Camp, President of Saskatchewan Minor Hockey (back middle), and Mr. Graham Tour, past Vice President of the Saskatchewan Midget "AAA" Hockey League (back right) also took place as two World Junior Gold Medalists in Colton Gillies (front left) and Brandon Sutter (front right) were in the line-up to accept the puck drop.

TD Canada Trust Scoring for Schools

The TD Canada Trust Scoring for Schools Program is a new initiative introduced by the Saskatoon Blades for the 2007/08 regular season.

The month of January's randomly selected schools were Lakeridge and St. Goretti's. For every goal that the Blades scored at each of their home games during the month, the Saskatoon Blades donated $22 to each school.

The Blades scored 14 goals in 7 home games during the months, meaning $616 will be evenly divided and awarded to Lakeridge and St. Goretti's Schools.

Ackland's Grainger Point Man

For every point that Derek Hulak scores this season, Acklands Grainger will donate $50 to the Children's Wish Foundation.

In the month of January, Derek had recorded a total of 31 points meaning that a minimum total of $1,550 will be donated to the Children's Wish Foundation.

Derek and the Saskatoon Blades still have 20 games remaining in the 2007/08 season where the point total can continue to grow!

Novice Hockey Practices

On Monday, January 21st the Saskatoon Blades were in a total of 7 different rinks throughout the entire city of Saskatoon to help with practices at the Novice level as part of the Blades Junior Novice Hockey program which is in its first of ten years.

A total of 14 players were available to help 30 teams run practices and drills. Players offered tips to the youngster's while explaining the life of a Western Hockey League player.

"We were blessed with (Ryan) Funk and (Braden) Holtby and they were awesome. They were directly involved with all of the kids, were not shy, added suggestions, talked with the boys and were really involved. They were very encouraging and displayed positive attitudes towards all. They stuck around to sign items and the boys were thrilled." - Renegade Thunder

"Our experience with it was all positive. It happened to coincide with a power skating session we had booked privately with Canadian Ways. We had (Walker) Wintoneak and (Ondrej) Fiala out with us. They were a big help in demonstrating the drills and partnering up with the kids to do drills with them. They both were great ambassadors for the Blades organization. The kids (and coaches) had a great time." - Renegade Rage

Assante Wealth Management Teacher Recognition

On January 23rd the Saskatoon Blades continued with a new initiative this season in the Assante Wealth Management Teacher Recognition program.

Each month students in Saskatoon and the immediate surrounding area have the opportunity to nominate a teacher to be publicly recognized by the Blades for extraordinary work in their schools.

The month of January's Assante Wealth Management Teacher Recognition recipient was Madame Elaine Krause, a grade 2/3 teacher at Victoria School. Derek Hulak (far left), Garrett Zemlak (left), and Kirk Belyk (right) were on hand to present Madame Krause with her award.

Children's Health and Hospital Foundation Night

On January 16th, 2008, the Saskatoon Blades hosted the Children's Health and Hospital Foundation to help raise funds and awareness for their non-profit organization.

The CHHF had tables setup along the concourse throughout the night and received additional exposure using Blades Vision, the team's Jumbotron. A special 300 second video was shown during the 2nd intermission to show firsthand the benefits of being involved with their organization.

Tuesday, January 1st

C95 Family Skate Day

Credit Union Centre

Entire Team

- Encouraged all fans to head to the ice following the game to skate with their heroes

- Players posed for photographs as well as signed autographs

- Hockey cards were distributed to youngsters at no cost

Monday, January 14th

White Buffalo Youth Lodge Mentorship Program

Credit Union Centre

Chris Durand, Darian Dziurzynski, Chris Langkow, Ryan Funk, Mitch Berg

- Practiced hockey drills with aboriginal youths

- Ate subs/cookies and hosted youths for supper and conversation

- Post-meal talk on career opportunities with special guest Merv Brass

Bully Prevention Seminar

Walter Murray Collegiate

Colton Gillies

- Attended the launch and world premiere of "The Instigator", an anti-bullying movie filmed and produced in Saskatoon

- Introduced as special guests for the morning in connection with the Saskatoon Blades Burger King Bully Prevention program

Monday, January 21st

RCMP Project Faceoff

Lakeridge School

Sam Klassen, John Flatters

- Spoke to students about their experience in Vancouver, BC in early October, 2007

- Worked with RCMP officers to present students with an anti-drug abuse plan

- Raised awareness of drug addiction and the dangers of drug abuse at home in Saskatoon

RCMP Project Faceoff

Brevort Park School

Kirk Belyk, Chris Durand

- Spoke to students about their experience in Vancouver, BC in early October, 2007

- Worked with RCMP officers to present students with an anti-drug abuse plan

- Raised awareness of drug addiction and the dangers of drug abuse at home in Saskatoon

Novice Hockey Practice

Harold Latrace Arena #1

Kirk Belyk, Garrett Zemlak

Minor hockey teams involved: Blazin' Aces, Flyin' Aces

- Players offered tips and support while minor hockey teams ran practice drills

- Players showed minor hockey teams a few WHL minor hockey drills

Novice Hockey Practice

Harold Latrace Arena #2

Chris Langkow, Ryan Funk

Minor hockey teams involved: Comet Flames, Martensville Marauders, Phantom Flyers, Clavet Cougars

- Players offered tips and support while minor hockey teams ran practice drills

- Players showed minor hockey teams a few WHL minor hockey drills

Novice Hockey Practice

Gemini Arena - Red

Braden Holtby, Darian Dziurzynski

Minor hockey teams involved: Redwing Wolfpack, Rockin' Flyers, Bobcat Lightning, Bobcat Blades, Wild Rhinos, Redwing Cyclones

- Players offered tips and support while minor hockey teams ran practice drills

- Players showed minor hockey teams a few WHL minor hockey drills

Novice Hockey Practice

Gemini Arena - Gold

Chris Durand, Sam Klassen

Minor hockey teams involved: Vapor Flyers, Dragon Flyers, Redwings, Wild Blades, Bobcat Roadrunners, Bobcat Xterminators

- Players offered tips and support while minor hockey teams ran practice drills

- Players showed minor hockey teams a few WHL minor hockey drills

Novice Hockey Practices

Agriplex Twins West

Ondrej Fiala, Walker Wintoneak

Minor hockey teams involved: Renegade Rattlers, Renegade Rage

- Players offered tips and support while minor hockey teams ran practice drills

- Players showed minor hockey teams a few WHL minor hockey drills

Novice Hockey Practices

ACT Arena

Mike Reich, John Flatters

Minor hockey teams involved: Redwings, Wild Coyotes, Wild Fire, Bobcat Blades

- Players offered tips and support while minor hockey teams ran practice drills

- Players showed minor hockey teams a few WHL minor hockey drills

Novice Hockey Practices

Cosmo Arena

Derek Hulak, Garrett Klotz

Minor hockey teams involved: Renegade Battalion, Crazy Comets, Flaming Aces, Thunder Aces

- Players offered tips and support while minor hockey teams ran practice drills

- Players showed minor hockey teams a few WHL minor hockey drills

Tuesday, January 22nd

Subway Safety Patroller Lunch

St. Philip School

Ryan Funk, Braden Holtby, Garrett Zemlak, John Flatters

- Presented schools safety patrollers with certificates of appreciation along with RCMP officers

- Ate Subway lunch with students

- Signed autographs and thanked over 40 students for being safety patrollers

Novice Hockey Practices

Martensville Arena

Braden Holtby, Ryan Funk

Minor hockey teams involved: Renegade Thunder, Martensville Marauders

- Players offered tips and support while minor hockey teams ran practice drills

- Players showed minor hockey teams a few WHL minor hockey drills

Wednesday, January 23rd

CIBC Read to Succeed

Valley Manor School

Sam Klassen, Chris Durand, John Flatters

- Read Brady Brady books to school

- Signed autographs and distributed hockey cards to students

- Discussed the importance of reading, favourite books, etc.

Assante Wealth Management Teacher Recognition Program

Victoria School

Garrett Zemlak, Kirk Belyk, Derek Hulak

- Presented Madame Elaine Krause with January's teacher recognition award

Thursday, January 24th

Subway Safety Patroller Lunch

St. Volodymyr School

Ondrej Fiala, Kirk Belyk, Chris Langkow, Walker Wintoneak

- Presented schools safety patrollers with certificates of appreciation along with RCMP officers

- Ate Subway lunch with students

- Signed autographs and thanked over 30 students for being safety patrollers

Thursday, January 31st

RCMP Project Faceoff

Sutherland School

Kirk Belyk

- Spoke to students about their experience in Vancouver, BC in early October, 2007

- Worked with RCMP officers to present students with an anti-drug abuse plan

- Raised awareness of drug addiction and the dangers of drug abuse at home in Saskatoon

RCMP Project Faceoff

Sutherland School

John Flatters, Sam Klassen

- Spoke to students about their experience in Vancouver, BC in early October, 2007

- Worked with RCMP officers to present students with an anti-drug abuse plan

- Raised awareness of drug addiction and the dangers of drug abuse at home in Saskatoon

Burger King Bully Prevention

Sutherland School

Braden Holtby, Colton Gillies, Derek Hulak, Garrett Klotz

- Spoke to students about verbal, direct, indirect, and cyber bullying

- Signed anti-bullying contract with students and left behind in classroom

- Share and heard examples of bullying with students

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 6, 2008


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