Hockey
Congratulation to South Delta MHA!!
While the current team is having success under the 18th Head Coach of the Vancouver Canucks Willie Desjardins,
http://canucks.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=90255
Each year the Canucks bring the Fathers of the players on a road trip and this year is no different and I had the chance to talk to Canucks player Bo Horvat about what this meant to the players.
Bo grew up in London Ontario and remembers playing on his back-yard rink that his Dad used to make for him and the neighbour hood boys and he said that was a “tradition” in the area that everyone loved.
For him, Hockey Day in Canada means enjoyment playing a sport you love and bringing the different communities together as well as the Country.
This is the feature for Hockey Day in Canada and one in which South Delta MHA has been working on for the past year.
It embraces the hockey program in Delta and it’s interesting to note that hockey in Delta was initially the idea of Ian Payton’s Father.
He got the idea and started hockey at the Boundary Bay Airport in the old hanger that is no longer around.
His vision along with others, basically all farmers who joined forces made minor hockey in Delta get its start.
Both South Delta and North Delta had the first rink (official) built in 1972 and these were followed up in 1977 by two more.
The Ladner Leisure Centre and the Sungod Arena were both opened that year due to the growth of the various communities.
Since then both facilities have gone through extensive change and both are well used by the various communities.
While expansion is taking place at the North Delta Rec Centre, I am sad to report that the addition of another rink was not in the plans.
The event is headed by South Delta Executive Director of marketing member Phil Pacaud, who has a vast number of volunteers who have stepped up to help out.
The day is long as event’s start early and the official re-opening of the Ladner Leisure Centre will take place at 8:45 AM by Delta Mayor Lois Jackson.
While she (Lois) has never played hockey herself, she does watch and enjoy the game as she comes from Sudbury, which she is quick to tell you it’s the home of Todd Bertuzzi.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8459444
Throughout the day, several minor sports organizations will be on hand to promote their sport and there is lot’s to do for everyone.
The event will feature games between both North Delta and South Delta Minor Hockey Association, and this alone brings the communities together.
If you look at the history of players coming from both areas we notice that South Delta has Brent Seabrook and Brendan Gallaher, while North Delta has sent Troy Brouwer and NHL Linesman Brad Lazarowich to the “show”, and these are only a few.
There is everything to do for the Family and some include a pancake breakfast, an area for practicing your shooting skills, plus involvement by the Vancouver Giants and the Delta Ice Hawks.
Take in the day, it’s been a long time in the progress for those behind the scenes and they deserve “tons” of credit.
Join myself and co-host Chad Dey as we are on-air at 5 pm bringing you interviews and stories as well as two games.
First is the Midget A game between both Associations, which is followed by the Vancouver Canucks Alumni game.
Tune in – sit back and enjoy – or stop by the rink and say “hi”!!
