For local Nick Bell there are two things this Christmas that make coming home extra special – Santa Claus and hockey.
On Dec. 23 he is making both things happen. Santa Claus will be a guest of honour at the 1st Annual Innisfail Christmas Classic, a game that will feature more than 30 local hockey players who came up through the ranks of the Innisfail Minor Hockey Association.
Everything is organized and ready to go. Ice time at the Innisfail Arena has been booked for a 2 p.m. start time. Referees have been arranged. Team jerseys have been secured and a logo even drawn by local Christina Miller. For hockey fans who want attend the price of admission is a donation to the Innisfail Food Bank.
And to keep everything festive for the season Santa Claus will be at centre ice with beloved long-time local hockey fan Herman Thorsen for the ceremonial puck drop.
“He (Thorsen) was always there watching us play hockey,” said Bell. “When I was a kid I don’t think he ever missed a game. Herman was always a friendly face to Innisfail minor hockey.”
As for Thorsen, the 85-year-old local minor hockey fanatic is thrilled to be a part of the game.
“I was very honoured to be asked to participate. I’ve watched them all play hockey,’ said Thorsen. “I was told earlier to be there but I wasn’t told I would drop the puck.”
Bell, 21, grew up in town and started playing hockey at the age of five. Along with his three brothers many long and memorable hours were spent doing what they loved the most at the Innisfail Arena.
Bell went through the local hockey system and later played with the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League and the Okotoks Oilers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. He is now playing defence for the Mount Royal Cougars where he is working on a business university degree.
As for the other 30 plus players that are coming, some went on to senior levels of hockey outside of town and the province, including the college and university levels, while others remained in Innisfail where they now work, raise families and still play hockey at the recreational level.
“Some never went further than Innisfail minor hockey but all have fond memories of playing hockey in Innisfail,” said Bell. “What better time to have this inaugural alumni game than at Christmas when everyone comes home to enjoy the holidays with family.”
Bell said his inspiration to organize the game came from a friend who told him of a similar idea in the United States.
“It turned out that the game down there was very successful and I thought it would be good to see how it would go here,” said Bell, adding it was decided to cap the number of participants at about 30. “We could have invited more but then ice time would have been limited. This is really a test run. We will see how it goes.
“It will be a fun type of game,” said Bell, adding players will not be in hard contact mode. “It will be more like a good game of shinny.”
