Hockey Day in Canada 2008
Winkler, Manitoba Will Host HDIC on February 9, 2008
Canada will be celebrating the game of hockey when Hockey Day in Canada takes place this Saturday. The event will celebrate Canada's passion for hockey..
On February 9, Winkler, MB will play host to the CBC's eigth annual Hockey Day in Canada (HDIC). The event, which will air from coast to coast on the CBC network, will showcase Canada's passion for the game.
The day-long event will commence at 11:00 AM EST., when host Ron MacLean and Kelly Hrudey will share their hockey related stories as well as the stories that make hockey Canada's premier sport. This year's theme is "The Journey", which will describe players road to success and those individuals that have helped them along the way.
Numerous players were interviewed as part of the CBC's content on their HDIC website. Jonathan Toews, who hails from Winnipeg, MB and plays for the Chicago Blackhawks, was one of those players.
"It's been a huge part of my life since I was a little guy," said Chicago Blackhawks prospect Jonathan Toews in his interview. "People I`ve met along the way and the things I`ve gone through, the tough and bad times, it all adds up to shape your character and personality."
With the day-long event drawing near, the citizens of Winkler and surrounding communites are enthusiastic and excited about the opportunity that this event will provide.
"My reaction was the same as many others in the community," said Deb Penner, Community Events Coordinator for Winkler. " I am excited at the prospect of hosting such a huge national event, thrilled that the CBC had the confidence in us to host it and very happy for the hockey community in Winkler, that this once-in-a-lifetmine opportunity was given to us."
With the opportunity to host the CBC event, Winkler, which is the hometown of Edmonton Oilers forward Dustin Penner and Calgary Flames goaltender Brent Krahn, has been very busy in setting up venues as well as organizing for the event. According to Penner, twenty people are currently involved with the organizing committee, who have held meetings bi-monthly for the past few months.
"Countless hours have been put into the planning from volunteers from numerous sectors in the community," Penner commented. "They include the school division, minor hockey, recreation department, businesses, (the) city of Winkler, and other volunteers who have experience in planning banquets, promotions and merchandising.
While HDIC may hold different meanings for people, one thing most people will agree on is that it brings Canada together as a whole and plays a significant part in Canadian culture. It also provides people with the chance to grow and learn, both on a personal and professional level. Shane Doan, born in Hailkirk, AB, is captain of the Phoenix Coyotes. He says that being involved in hockey has been great and has offered a few surprises.
"It has given me so many incredible opportunities to see the world," Doan said to the CBC. "It brought me down to a place where I never would have imagined living, here in Phoenix, Arizona. It's been incredible."
HDIC 2008 will also have numerous segments broadcast throughout the day, with stories being shown from coast to coast. It will be a day to celebrate the game Canada loves.
"To me, Hockey Day in Canada is a celebration of what the game means not only to the nation as a whole, but also each individual that has a passion for the game," said Penner. "Hockey Day in Canada honors players, coaches, spectators and the hockey moms and dads that spend countless hours and at every level, from young children learning on a pond all the way to the best professionals in the game."
While many feel that the event will be an overall success, Penner feels that it will bring a sense of pride to the town of Winkler.
"Not many communities have the chance to be featured across an entire nation for an entire day," she said. "The CBC has given that opportunity to Winkler and we hope to show all of Canada what a special place this is." She also added that the town's residents are proud, friendly and hard-working.
With that type of commitment, residents of Winkler will do their best to put their town on the map.
"We are a hockey town," Penner stated, " I anticipate that Hockey Day in Canada will show Canadians that this little city on the Prairie is a real treasure."
With a full day of hockey action and stories, hockey fans all across Canada will be able to celebrate their passion for the game.
For more information and other features, please visit www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/hdic2008/
