Rogers Hometown Hockey hosted in Okotoks
Posted Feb 24, 2019 5:53 am.
Last Updated Feb 25, 2019 12:27 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OKOTOKS (660 NEWS) – Rogers Home Town Hockey took over downtown Okotoks this weekend.
The two day event saw hundreds of people get bundled up and brave the winter weather to take in the festivities.
Brooklyn and Keifer talked to 660 NEWS after meeting former Calgary Flames head coach Darryl Sutter, who must have made an impact because he was one of their favourite stops.
“Getting autographs have been really cool,” Keifer said. With Brooklyn echoing his thoughts adding “I really liked getting a signed picture.”
The two day event gave the Okotoks and surrounding community a chance to show case their hockey spirit.
Dan is a coach with the Okotoks Minor Hockey Association and said that he thought it allowed people to come out and celebrate a sport they loved on a different level.
“These are people you usually see at the rink, sometimes on the opposing team where everybody is in team mode, but in this setting its different because everyone is in community mode. Which in its own way is more rewarding.”
He added that it was awesome to have so many activities to partake in from ball hockey, to shooting stations; however, Dan said that his sons favourite thing was getting to try out what sledge hockey feels like.
“It is awesome for these kids to be able to see another part of the game,” Dan said.
While most echoed the pride they felt from being able to share the community of Okotoks love of hockey, Okotoks Chamber of Commerce President Sarah Noyes believes the event can help give a boost to the Okotoks Economy.
“Any tourism is good for the town because people can see the different shops and resteraunts that we have and can always come back to visit them,” Noyse said. “Sports tourism is well known as a great boost to economies and certainly Hometown Hockey fits in that.”
She adds, one of the exciting parts of Hometown Hockey is just how popular the event is.
“People come from miles around to come and see it and participate and it’s a great showcase for our community.”
660 NEWS spoke with Erika at the second day of Hometown Hockey, and she is a perfect expample of Noyse’s statement, having been to five different Hometown Hockey stops in Alberta and Ontario.
“It is awesome the feeling that you get from these events. They are almost like a Winter Carnival I love them,” Erika said.
This is the 20th stop on the 2018-2019 Rogers Hometown Hockey tour.
