OHL Kitchener Rangers

Inaugural Hockey Day in Rangers Nation Delights Kids

January 23, 2011 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release


Imagine back when you were ten years old and playing hockey. You dream of being in the Ontario Hockey League one day and ultimately want to end up playing professionally. The Kitchener Rangers provided an OHL Rangers game day experience to 14 Major Atom House League teams at The Aud today. Teams from Waterloo region were selected through a lottery process and there was no fee for teams to participate.

Behind the scenes Rangers board members and volunteers worked hard to make every moment special for these teams, from the time they arrived to the dressing room until the moment they exited the rink.

Organizer and Vice President of the Rangers Board of Directors Craig Campbell, mentions that his main goal was to cater an unforgettable experience for the kids, "an amazing experience, something they have never seen before." He went on to say that "Judging by the reactions of participants, it was a success" and that it is "events like this that make me proud to be involved with the hockey club." The Rangers organization is fortunate to have so many wonderful volunteers who would give up their day, a day starting at 5am to make Hockey Day in Rangers Nation happen.

It will be a day to remember for Kitchener Spirit's left winger Chris who says, "The ice was better to play on and I liked having the jumbo screen," playing on the same ice as his Rangers player hero's and being shown on the same video screen that they appear on at every Kitchener home game. Chris even scored a goal and had his name announced to the fans that were in attendance.

The dressing room experience was a favourite part of the day for Mitch, a centre for the Spirit. He liked "having name tags in the dressing room and drinking all the Gatorade" he wanted. Fellow centre man Jason of the Waterloo Lowes' favourite part of the day was when he scored and the goal was broadcast to the team and fans.

On defence for the Kitchener 67's, Tiana says, "It was a really fun day. Probably the best game I've played." Most of the players who took part in Hockey Day were happy they got to "do what the Rangers do all the time," as defenceman James put it.

It was a day of teamwork, pride, fun and much more for these 10 year old players, their coaching staff, families and friends - a day of hockey they will always remember.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 23, 2011


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