Flames v Coyotes, My Hockeyville PGT

[undercoverbrother]

I was going to post in the PGT, but decided to start my own thread.

Our Hockeyville journey started the day after the rink fell. I took my kids to see the rink. My daughter cried when she saw it. It was the building in which she played her first hockey game.

We took part in the voting, and went to the reveal parties.

This past Sunday we went down to the lake front for the start of the celebrations. We spent a great afternoon with friends and some NHL Alumni. We met and got autographs from Rhett Warrener, Jamie Macoun, Brian Savage and Nick Boynton. All four were great and spent time speaking to the kids.

Both of my kids were lucky enough to get their names drawn to go on the ice for a clinic/practice with NHL Alumni. Both kids had a great time, and it was a wonderful night at the rink.

I awoke yesterday morning to a text from a buddy. He had located 4 practice tickets for us. We got town to the arena at 7:45 ready for the arrival of the Flames at 8:00am. The Flames arrived and took as long as was needed to sign and pose for pictures. Big Ern posed for a picture with my daughter punching him in the face. Joe Colborne spent a few minutes trying to convince by son’s friend that he should get 8 on the back of his jersey, as #8 was a great guy.

The Coyotes, then showed and up and it was a repeat. They took their time and signed everything that was presented.

We went in and watched both teams practice. Really enjoyable, and interested.

At the end of the practice for the Coyotes Playfair and other players rounded up all the pucks and proceeded to chuck them over the boards to kids. My daughter was one of the ones to get a puck. Really classe move by the Coyotes staff and players.

I also made it into a photo, spot me if you can:

Spoiler!

The teams sent players to both my kids’ school for presentations.

We didn’t have tickets to the game, but had made plans to head down to watch on the big screen outside. When we got there it was awesome, big crowd, Flames merchandise trailer, food trucks and a big ass TV. My wife disappeared into the crowd and came back with a sheepish smile. In her hands were two tickets to the game (she seems to know everyone in town, I guess that is what you get from volunteering). We have two kids, and also had a good friend of my daughter with us. I was faced with my own Sophie’s Choice. It was decided that my son and I would go in to watch the game. My daughter cried, but she understood and didn’t want to dump her friend.

The boy and I went into the game. WOW!! The rink looked great. It was a rocking (and hot holy hell it was hot!) atmosphere. Mid way through the first my son won a “make some noise” contest for Kraft. He was given a ticket to redeem for a signed jersey.

A couple of minutes later I got a call from my neighbor. He and his boy were sitting across the rink. He asked if it was just the two of us. I told him my version of Sophie’s Choice. He and I formulated a plan that the boys would sit together for the 2nd and 3rd periods and he and I would leave letting the girls come in.

After the first we met at the door to the arena. Initially, the door staff (teachers at my daughter’s school) were not receptive to our plan, but once she looked at the girls she gave the ok. My buddy and I left and the girls went in to watch the game.

We had a great night outside with our friends watching the game. I knew my son would not remember to get his jersey (he had to be back downstairs with 7 minutes left in the 3rd0. I texted the 14 yr old son of friends and asked him to get the boy sorted to get his jersey. After numerous texts (14 yrs olds aren’t too swift) we got it sorted. My son won this jersey signed by the Flames. He went on the ice to get it hand delivered by a Flame (sadly he has no idea who).

Spoiler!

After the game we headed home, but a buddy stayed with his kids to get signatures. He said it was a repeat of the morning. Both teams taking all the time they wanted to sign/talk/pose for pictures.

The last few days were amazing, with each experience topping the previous experience. It was a wonderful time in the town. I experienced some heartwarming friendship and kindness.

I want to say thanks to Kraft, NHL, the Flames and Coyotes. Both teams were amazing, and open with the crowd.

Also, I want to thank the volunteers that ran the Hockeyville campaign. We are friends with some and they worked their asses off. There was also plenty of volunteering that made the day itself happen.

It truly was a couple of days my family and town will never forget.

in the words of my son:

This was my greatest hockey day ever!

[FlamesAddiction]

Good story man. It's great that it meant a lot to you and your kids, as well as the community in general.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I also made it into a photo, spot me if you can:

One of Oilers jerseys in the bottom left?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

One of Oilers jerseys in the bottom left?

Close, I am on the edge of the photo.......

[BurningSteel]

Awesome story and just more ammo to support that this really is the greatest game!!

[Neeper]

Awesome story! It brought a smile to my face!

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Neeper

Awesome story! It brought a smile to my face!

Johnny, I am sure I will be accessing you APP this season. The game has only solidified my kids desire to see a game at the Dome.

[handgroen]

where is the big ern photo?

[OutOfTheCube]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Close, I am on the edge of the photo.......

I'm going with top right, standing up and holding a camera.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by handgroen

where is the big ern photo?

Spoiler!

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

I'm going with top right, standing up and holding a camera.

damn you be good at this....

[Sample00]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Spoiler!

sorry, had to quote it for "sheer damn awesomeness!" Big Ern should have an A on his jersey! or another C for class act!

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Spoiler!

Seeing that makes me feel pretty OK inside.

I love that she is giving him a little punch.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Awesome story undercoverbrother! Love that Big Ern picture. Your daughter's never going to forget that.

[OutOfTheCube]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

damn you be good at this....

Wasn't too hard, I had it pegged before the corner clue

Figured any CP member worth his salt would be wearing a red Flames jersey at a Flames game. That narrows it down to three people, one of which is a lady cutting across the middle and the other a guy sitting down wearing an '04 jersey with a bigger group of people. That leaves Mr. Photo Taker there.

[Timbo]

Great story and a fantastic post. Thank you for sharing.

[Poe969]

Did your daughter salute after punching him? That would have been awesome lol

[Puppet Guy]

THIS is why I love hockey.