Saturday (Oct. 6), 2012 came to be a very special Thanksgiving gift for approximately 40 Yorkton Minor Hockey Novice-aged players plus the coaches and parents.
The Kinsmen Arena was the setting for a guest appearance to one of the local sports figures for a second type appearance to the City.
From 12:45 p.m., to 2:30 p.m., Jarret Stoll became the highlight to these young and upcoming hockey players sharing the ice he once spent many hours on as a young YMH player.
Stoll wanted to give something back to the organization who graciously has dedicated a billboard sign for the community to see that congratulates his accomplishment in winning the Stanley Cup earlier this year.
His guest appearance allowed him to skate, pass, shoot and have fun with two separate Novice groups on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend.
Stoll also brought another small treat to all participants involved. He graciously handed out autographed pictures of his Cup-winning moment and allowed all who were able to get a picture with him in many rooms and the hallways of the Kinsmen Arena.
Part of this was all organized by a representative of the National Hockey League Player's Association from Toronto and the new president of Yorkton Minor Hockey, Mike Thorley.
Thorley was given a call by the representative a few weeks before to organize the surprise visit to the rink, needing to keep it as secretive as possible as Stoll was doing a bit of double duty. He was also in Yorkton to surprise his mother for her birthday and Thanksgiving.
So, accompanied by his nephew Jordan Stoll, Jarret gave the young players, coaches and spectators a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. Thorley commented that he has been approached by a few of the Novice parents and thanked for putting the day together for the kids.
"This is just another great way to have the hockey season kick-started on a positive note," he said.
