CARSTAIRS - The Carstairs Memorial Arena will be busy this week as both the WHL Calgary Hitmen and Junior A Olds Grizzlys play exhibition games in town.
The Hitmen host the Edmonton Oil Kings on Sept. 8 at 7 p.m., while the Grizzlys host the Sherwood Park Crusaders on Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. Tickets for both games are available at the arena beforehand or at the door. The Hitmen game is a fundraiser for STARS Air Ambulance, which provides ambulance service to rural areas throughout Alberta.
Rob Kerr, assistant manager, business operations for the Calgary Hitmen, told the Gazette that the team is looking forward to coming out this way.
"There was a feeling that with the pre-season it's always nice to take the product out and be able to take it around," said Kerr. "Carstairs has a terrific facility."
Kerr said supporting STARS is important for the club, particularly after the tragic bus accident involving the Humboldt Broncos.
"I think a lot of the hockey world changed on April 6 with the accident with Humboldt," he said. "Although not a direct tie in Carstairs, there are certainly plenty of ties nearby with Ryan Straschnitzki in Airdrie and Graysen Cameron in Olds. The thought was can we go out in a rural community and bring the Hitmen product out there but also do something for the community?
"We chose STARS Air Ambulance, which were among the first responders for the accident on April 6 and wanted to do a fundraiser. Rural communities like Carstairs, like Didsbury, like Olds, like Airdrie, we all rely on STARS. So this was a great opportunity."
Kerr said that the hockey community has really come together after the Humboldt tragedy.
"We're part of a greater community that just wants to make sure we still honour what happened and do whatever we can to make sure we never forget the tragedy that took place," he said. "It's a great opportunity to come to Carstairs and a great opportunity to turn this into a fundraiser for STARS. There are a lot of positives coming out of this."
Kerr said all the proceeds from ticket sales, 50/50, as well as proceeds from the auction of four special team jerseys will go to STARS.
"STARS will be on site as well," he said. "They'll be part of our opening ceremonies. We plan a modest but important opening ceremony honouring what happened on April 6, STARS and minor hockey."
Carstairs mayor Lance Colby said hosting both games is a great opportunity for hockey fans in the area.
"I think there are good interest in recreation here," he said. "People come out to see it and not only will it help us maybe they'll want to go to Calgary to watch a game. STARS is such a great organization. It's great to help them out."
