CANORA - Due to a variety of factors, not all kids are able to play in organized ice hockey leagues. But on Jan. 15, for a pair of road hockey games on Main Street in Canora, all that was needed was a hockey stick and some enthusiasm.
Canora and area kids, at least 40 of them according to organizers, got together with eight members of the Canora Senior Cobras hockey team to pick teams. After organizer Jody Kowalyshyn numbered off the four teams, she dropped the tennis ball (no need for pucks here) and the action was underway.
Main Street traffic was blocked off from Sixth Avenue to Eighth Avenue, just enough room for two games at the same time. Rice Construction provided high-powered lights and a speaker to play music during the games.
Parker Rice of Rice Construction said he and the other organizers “were very happy with the turnout.”
Members of the Canora Senior Cobras who took part in the road hockey were: Ryley Stefanyshyn (team captain), Max Flaherty, Casey Mydonick, Tyler Ostoforoff, Tanner Denesowych, Vaughn Wilgosh, Kody Rock and Rylan Palchewich.
“The Cobras enjoy doing things in the community,” said Mydonick. “It’s nice to give the kids good memories. We really appreciate the community support and it helps for the public to see us out there.”
Mydonick has many fond memories from growing up and playing hockey.
“I remember going to the old Canora Junior B team’s games. I looked up to the players and I wanted to be around them.”
One of Mydonick’s favourite memories is his birthday party when he turned about five or six.
“A couple of the Junior B players showed up to my birthday party and came to one of my games, that was a really big deal for me.”
Mydonick said the youngsters involved in the road hockey were anywhere from four to 12 years of age, “We were trying to get them all involved in the games.
“We think things like this are important for the future of Canora minor hockey. Small acts can go a long way. Even kids that don’t usually play hockey, they can get out there with some of their idols.”
Word of the road hockey event apparently spread outside Canora. Mydonick said a family member brought in kids all the way from Kamsack to get in on the action.
“Big shout out to Parker Rice and the rest of the volunteers for putting this together,” concluded Mydonick.
Rice is a hockey parent, as well as a Canora Minor Hockey coach and volunteer.
“Kids love to be active so this was a perfect outlet for them to get some energy out during our long winter.”
Rice said the kids appreciated the opportunity to play alongside the Cobras. After a while, they asked the Cobras to switch games, so all the kids had the opportunity to play with all eight Cobras players.
“The kids look up to these guys and view them as local celebrities.”
Even though there was a chilly breeze during the games, temperatures were well above normal for mid-January.
Nothing could dim the enthusiasm of the players and those who cheered them on.
One of the spectators may have summed it up best: “This is awesome.”
Don't count on social media to deliver your local news to you. Keep your news a touch away by bookmarking Canora Courier's homepage at this link.
Bookmark SASKTODAY.ca, Saskatchewan's home page, at this link.
