Last Friday, the Olds Grizzlys held a pumpkin carving event at the Olds Sportsplex where kids could come and celebrate Halloween with the local team.
It was part of the Grizzlys' efforts to bond with the community, and it was held before they hosted the Cochrane Eagles at the Sportsplex that night.
Along with the pumpkin carving was plenty of candy to go around in the spirit of the famed day, as well as free hotdogs, free T-shirts and autographs from their favourite players.
One of the players that participants had the chance to meet was forward Andrew Malek from Milwaukee, Wis.
“It’s good to get out into the community and have fun before the game, hopefully, they come out to the game,” said Malek about the event and about that night’s game.
Prior to coming to Olds, Malek hadn’t considered community-based events like this would be a part of his time with the Grizzlys.
“I didn’t know that this was a part of juniors but I really like it, I could get used to this,” Malek said.
Grizzlys head coach Joe Murphy says events like this are important and can help boost team spirit.
“I think any time you can be out in the community engaging with young hockey families first and foremost or any initiative in the community (it) only helps the brand of the Olds Grizzlys," he said.
“No relationship is a one-way street so when you’re a part of a community you actually have to be an active part of it.
“So whether it’s pumpkin carving or clearing snow off sidewalks, it’s all a part of being engaged in the community so it’s very important,” Murphy added.
That night, the Eagles beat the Grizzlys 3-1.
