CARSTAIRS - The recent Calgary Hitmen exhibition game at the Carstairs Memorial Arena attracted more than 1,000 spectators, all in support of STARS air ambulance.
The Western Hockey League exhibition game between the Hitmen and the Edmonton Oil Kings raised $11,113 for STARS, which operates emergency response aircraft.
Rob Kerr, Calgary Hitmen assistant general manager business operations, told the Gazette the game was a big success.
"It was terrific," said Kerr. "The crowd was incredible. The response was terrific. Right from the get-go we had people lined up. Actually, people bought tickets in advance. You could tell right away that people were coming."
Kerr said the pre-game forum involving both general managers and coaches from Carstairs Minor Hockey was well received.
"We had some great conversations about the state of hockey and had some fun," he said. "That kind of set the tone for the night. Right from the get-go the place was packed and jumping. Carstairs Minor Hockey provided several volunteers and their enthusiasm seemed to rub off on the crowd."
Kerr said officials from STARS, which provides rapid and specialized emergency care and transportation for critically ill and injured patients, were in the building selling T-shirts and calendars.
"It's such a great cause," he said. "They were ecstatic. It all went very well. We also had players who weren't dressed signing autographs and we had a large lineup of kids. For me, the hockey is one thing. That'll take of itself. That kind of opportunity to create some memories and have some interaction for the kids was just phenomenal. I'm ecstatic with how it went."
