Two local hockey players are expected to hit the ice at the Innisfail Arena this Friday when the Western Hockey League’s Red Deer Rebels host their division rivals, the Lethbridge Hurricanes, in an exhibition game.
Hurricanes rookie goaltender Tanner Kovacs, who was born in Innisfail and played in the local hockey system up until the end of bantam, and the Rebels’ Daulton Siwak, who hails from Olds, could take to the ice with their respective teams at 7:30 p.m.
“We’re just thrilled to be chosen as a host association,” Innisfail Minor Hockey Association executive director Tracey Walker said. “We’re a hockey community … it helps our whole program immensely.”
Tickets for the game cost $12 and are available at NAPA Auto Parts, Best of Health and the Innisfail Minor Hockey Association office. Only 800 are available and a sellout is expected, Walker explained. Proceeds from the game go back into the local minor hockey program.
Rebels spokesperson Cam Moon said the team selects three communities to host “home” exhibition games as a fundraiser for the local hockey association. In addition to Innisfail the Rebels will be playing in Lacombe and Stettler.
“All three have been outstanding,” Moon said. “It’s a great atmosphere. Lots of people come out – whether they’re from Innisfail or from Red Deer or from the surrounding area.”
This is the fifth consecutive year that Innisfail has hosted one of the games.
“Some towns get it every second year. We get it every year,” said Brian Spiller, past-president of the association. “That has a lot to do with Dale McMullen and Jeff Denham both being on the Sutter Fund board.”
“We’re very fortunate,” Walker added. “We’ve got a good relationship with the Rebels.”
Moon said the players get fired up about playing in front of a smaller audience in the local arenas.
“The host committee does such a great job of making everybody comfortable but also just making it a real charged-up atmosphere – one that I know the players love playing in and we love going to because it’s going to a good cause,” he said.
“There’s a lot of noise and a lot of kids and everybody’s having a good time. It really makes it a great environment.”
Walker said there will be a number of on-ice activities during the intermissions, including a shootout for a new car sponsored by Fourlane Ford and a shootout for a $250 gift card sponsored by Central Alberta Co-op.
The Innisfail Eagles will be hosting a beer garden in the arena’s upstairs meeting room with additional service to the skybox.
A few Red Deer players are also expected at the town’s community information night tonight and tomorrow to sign autographs in advance of Friday’s game.
“They have every other year,” she said. “I don’t know who they are going to be this year.”
The new season for many Innisfail Minor Hockey teams gets underway on Sept. 23.
For more information on the game, contact Walker at (403) 227-5620.
