Stephenville scores big with Hockey Day in Canada

When children first become involved in hockey, they rely on their parents and relatives to encourage them and to help them reach their full potential. This year’s Hockey Day in Canada explored the relationship between parents and their children with stories from all over Canada.

Stephenville was selected as host for the all day event because, according to Joel Darling, executive producer of Hockey Night in Canada, they were interested in coming to Newfoundland this year and they were aware of the recent hardships the west coast town had gone through.

“It was chosen because we were looking at Newfoundland this year,” he said.

“We looked at a few areas on the west coast and once we came out here (Stephenville), we saw the rink and at that time, we found out that the town had gone through some tough times with the mill closing and the floods,” he said.

Many of the stories that were broadcast on the nationally televised event dealt with family ties and commitment to the game of hockey. Darling said that it was an important theme for the CBC to cover. “Hockey plays a big part in families’ lives and it’s very important,” he said. “So throughout the day on Hockey Day, we will talk to NHL players about their influences in their life, whether it’s their mother, father or uncle. We’ll explore that throughout the day and certainly have some features that are associated with the theme as well.” ‘The Headliner’, a weekly feature on Hockey Night in Canada, showcased a story about the Detroit Red Wings’ players taking their dads on a road trip to a game against the Atlanta Thrashers.

Photo by Karen Gillingham Wendel Clark took part in the weeks festivities, helping children improve their hockey skills.

The resulting story was broadcast on Hockey Day in Canada. “We followed them and had a really nice story about players and their dads enjoying time on the road,” said Darling.

The events that took place during the week prior to the 13 ½ hour event were mainly aimed at youth and enabled young fans to celebrate their passion for the game of hockey. HNIC personalities Ron MacLean and Dick Irvin visited a local school in Stephenville, answering any questions that the children had and signing autographs, not only at the school, but throughout the Hockey Day event.

Former NHLer and Toronto Maple Leafs captain Wendel Clark was also involved during the week’s festivities. As part of the HDIC celebrations, Clark helped with an on-ice session instructing minor hockey players how to improve their game.

“I think it’s been great,” said Clark about the sessions. “We got to see every kid in minor hockey. The kids all came out and tried very hard. I loved it and loved being out there, that’s the best part. We tried to do a lot of skilled (plays), skating and stuff that keeps us together.” He added that all the kids who participated showed “great exuberance, energy and excitement.”

In addition to Don Cherry, Ron MacLean, Dick Irvin and Wendel Clark, another special guest made its appearance; Lord Stanley’s Cup made its way to the town of Stephenville, where many fans of the game got a chance to enjoy a part of hockey’s history. One local resident, a young girl, even won the chance to have the Stanley Cup brought to her home, where she was able to enjoy it throughout the morning of January 7.

Planning for the event for itself went full-tilt in the days leading up to HDIC. CBC showed up with truck loads of equipment and production crews. Local volunteer’s also worked long hours, planning for the event well before Christmas holidays. Chris Dohaney, an instructor at the College of The North Atlantic’s Bay St. George campus, says that everyone involved did their part to make the event a success.

“Without question the event would never have been what it was without the tireless efforts of all the volunteers,” Dohaney said. “For example, the stadium staff were at the Dome 5:30 Christmas Eve finishing off the ice logos. We had 80 people working in the canteen alone.”

Dohaney added that many students from the College of The North Atlantic also played an important role in planning the event.

“The college students from the Visual Arts program did a great job on the logos on the walls at the Dome,” said Dohaney. “Journalism students and multimedia students collected tons of media. The hospitality students worked to put off the best formal dinner I have ever attended. There were literally hundreds of volunteers who helped with a hundred jobs. Everyone who volunteered their time should be proud to have been a part of this.”

Joel Darling said that the volunteers always play an important part in events such as Hockey Day in Canada.

“We can do the TV side but we really need help on the ground here,” Darling said. “It’s been a few people on the committee that we’ve been speaking with every week (leading up to the event), making sure things are in place,” said Darling. “Anything we’ve asked for, the [volunteer] committee has come through with. We’re really pleased.

Darling said that he believes that Stephenville is a hockey town at heart.

“There’s a great rink here,” said Darling, leading up to the event. “Minor hockey is flourishing here…registration here is even up and I think that part of that may be because of Hockey Day. It’s just a great spot for hockey and we certainly have seen that leading up to [the event].”

It all comes back to one idea, that being fans from all across Canada coming to enjoy the Canada’s favorite past-time, hockey. The theme of the event certainly plays a major part in the celebration. Wendel Clark says that parents play a big role in influencing their children’s hockey careers.

“You look [up to] your parents because your parents all grew up loving the game,” said Clark. “You learn by how your parents really like a certain game and sport…you follow your parents and how they loved it.”

The Bay St. George community agree that the event was a success.

“I think Hockey Day in Canada was a great success,” Dohaney said. “All of our planned events were attended to capacity. I think everyone who participated in any of the events or anyone who just watched really enjoyed themselves. At the end of the day that was what our committee was hoping for the most.”

When asked what his favourite part of the whole experience was, Dohaney said that his favourite part was seeing everyone work to reach a common goal.

“Seeing everyone working together with smiles and cooperation with a common goal of putting off the best Hockey Day in Canada yet,” he said. “There were some anxious moments throughout the event, but regardless of the challenge, everyone remained focused on the tasks at hand.”