The 33 participants are Abigail Elliott, Dallas Byce, Flint Kelly, Madison Reist, Jack Kelly, Caleb Kelly, Mya Guay, Abigail Thrasher, Jacob Thrasher, Margaret Seabert, Charlotte Seabert, Madison Goulard, Lydia Goulard, Dean Baker, Bradley Thoms, Linden Racine, Kassidy O’Malley, Leah Boudreau, Tyler Doornekamp, Murray Brazeau-Doran, Hailey Alexander, Benjamin Alexander, Emma Alexander, Jonah MacLeod, Elliott Wylie, Logan Nieuwenhuis, Olivia Hudson, Vincent Bertrand, Andee Riopelle, Chelsea Whiting, Shane Shields, Noah Shields and Steven Kapp.
by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
WESTMEATH — Thirty-three children from throughout the Muskrat Minor Hockey Association area suited up for hockey in the Westmeath Community Hall – and yet, none of them had played the game before.
The First Shift, a program sponsored by Canadian Tire, Bauer and Hockey Canada, helps provide the opportunity for families across the country to enroll their children in hockey for the first time at no cost.
The Muskrat Minor Hockey Association was one of the organizations selected to participate in the program, said Neil Nicholson, an organizer of the event for the hockey association. He explained that the association is responsible for administering the program, providing all the instructors and paying for the first six sessions.
The program is specifically aimed at children ages six to 10 who have never played minor hockey before, he said. Each child is professionally outfitted with Bauer equipment from head to toe, which is just under the $800 figure, Mr. Nicholson said.
“We have a great team of instructors led by local hockey expert Stan Keon,” Mr. Nicholson said. “The response has been overwhelming by the greater Ottawa Valley.
“We were originally allocated 30 positions and they were filled with a waiting list,” he said.
By Tuesday night, Bauer had agreed to increase the number to 35, so all those who wanted to participate could, he added.
To register at the event last night, each child was given a First Shift jersey, hockey bag and hockey socks.
Once all were registered, Madison Stanul, community relations for Bauer, gathered them in a semi-circle to explain the program to them and their parents, who were standing in the background.
“We’re very happy to have you here and for you to join the program,” she said, adding, “We’re all here to help you fall in love with hockey.”
John Birch, the general manager of the Pembroke Canadian Tire store, said, “In Pembroke, we have worked for the last several years developing a rapport with many of the local hockey associations in the area. We have been successful helping these associations in a variety of ways that ultimately become mutually beneficial for all involved.”
He introduced Rick and Jan Johnson, who have owned the Pembroke Canadian Tire franchise since September 2015, and Will Fitton, from the Deep River Canadian Tire store.
“They live in the community and being a strong community supporter is a key part for them, and the entire store team, to running a successful business,” Mr. Birch said.
Canadian Tire believes that quality, physical activity plays an important role in the health, well-being and quality of life of all Canadians, particularly children, he said.
“Playing hockey is a great way for kids to get active,” Mr. Birch said. “At Canadian Tire, sport has been a part of our DNA for 94 years and we understand the important role that hockey plays in the lives of Canadians.”
Brent Gould, president of the Muskrat Minor Hockey Association, said this is a great program and thanked Mr. Nicholson, who is leading this program for the association.
He told the soon-to-be hockey players the association runs teams in the Cobden, Beachburg and Westmeath arenas.
“Welcome to our association,” Mr. Gould said.
Playing hockey since he was three years old, he told them he’s made a lot of friends and met a lot of people.
“You’re going to make a lot of friends,” he said. “There’s 33 of us here tonight, so you are going to have 32 new friends.
“And that’s the biggest part. Everybody’s got to enjoy it and you’re going to make new friends.”
He introduced the coaching staff of Stan Keon, Jesse Jacques, Riley Hennessy, John Ferguson, John Simard, Jake Begin, Morgan McGrath and Terry Burwell.
“They are going to teach you how to play hockey and have a lot of fun,” Mr. Gould said.
There will be six consecutive weeks of hockey, every Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at the Beachburg Arena, he said.
There will be six more weeks after Christmas which will also be in Beachburg, but the schedule will be determined later.
“See you guys on the ice,” he said.
Ms. Stanul then called Jack Kelly to the front. He was the youngster chosen to the participate in the demonstration of how to dress a hockey player.
“Parents, this will probably answer a lot of your questions about some things you may not be too sure of,” she said.
Once he was dressed the children, with parents, went to various stations to get fitted with the rest of their hockey gear, which included the hockey shorts, shin pads, pants, skates, shoulder pads, elbow pads, neck guard, helmet, gloves and a stick.
