HEAT ANNOUNCE HEROS HOCKEY

The Abbotsford Heat and the Abbotsford Heat Foundation announced the formation of a partnership with the Hockey Education Reaching Out Society (HEROS), a Canadian charity committed to empowering children through ice hockey.

The Heat will be hosting two (2) local HEROS players; Brianna Bryant and Christmas Sinclair from Vancouver, as part of a Pro Hockey Experience on Saturday, January 25^th before the Abbotsford Heat take on the Utica Comets (AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks).

Brianna and Christmas will be fitted with full sets of hockey gear, courtesy of Abbotsford Heat fan Dee Sharma and the Source for Sports Hockey Shop in Surrey.

They will be put through a full NHL style practice by Heat President Ryan Walter alongside the Vancouver Hockey Ladies, a group of Vancouver based female adult hockey players.

HEROS uses the game of hockey as a catalyst to attract youth to a program offering support for education self-esteem building and life skills training.

The program focuses on boys and girls of diverse ethnicity from economically challenged neighborhoods.

The program will be conducted in an environment of fun and safety where each child is considered to be a HERO.

Head to www.heroshockey.com for more information.

The Abbotsford Heat are dedicated to being a significant community partner for Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley.

Over the past three seasons, the Heat have raised more than $300,000 for local charities and minor hockey groups and the Heat Foundation has donated more than $100,000 to local charity groups.

Last season, the Heat raised nearly $94,000 for local groups through 50/50 sales and more than $65,000 through the Fundraiser ticket program.

Please call 1-877-452-4328 to see how your charity or minor hockey group can raise money with the Abbotsford Heat.

The Heat will return to Abbotsford after a six-game road trip to host the Utica Comets (AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks) on Friday January 24^th and Saturday January 25^th.

The Heat will then host the Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens) on Friday January 31^st and Saturday February 1^st.

For tickets and information, please call 1-877-452-4328 or go to abbotsfordheat.com.