OLDS — The first annual Battle With The Broncos, a charity hockey game to raise money for the Mountain View Emergency Shelter, is just days away from occurring.
The event, pitting first responders against the Olds College Broncos female hockey team, takes place Nov. 28, 7 p.m. at the Sportsplex.
Entry into the game for fans is by a monetary donation or donation of a non-perishable food item for the Olds College of Agriculture & Technology’s food bank.
The event is the brainchild of community resources officer Cst. Mitch Price.
He got the idea for the event back in March, just after he began his role as community resources officer.
“I've been working with the schools to do different things with them so far as first responders versus kids volleyball games or ball hockey games.
“But I wanted to do something a little bit larger; scale out in the community and involve one of our big partners,” Price said during an interview with the Albertan.
“So hockey has always been a big thing for me in my life and I thought what better than to reach out to the college and see if they were interested in participating in the game and taking on the first responders, and they were excited to be a part of it.”
Price said he’s been working with the Broncos for about two months to organize the game.
“They've been fantastic to work with, so together, between myself and them, we're going to put this event on,” he said.
A similar event, called the Battle of the Badges, has been held in Innisfail for a couple of years now. In that game, police take on the fire department with proceeds going to charity.
Price is aware of that game, but he says this one will be different.
“I wanted to do something along those lines, but I wanted to include one of the community's partners as well, like getting out with the college and having them play against the police and fire together,” he said. “I think it just puts a unique spin on it.”
The emergency crews squad may have an advantage -- some NHL experience.
Price said former Toronto Maple Leafs and Philadelphia Flyers player Jay Rosehill has agreed to play for them.
Price noted that Rosehill is currently a firefighter in Calgary "so he kind of fits the script. He's excited to be a part of it.”
Broncos forward Sydney Jack was also a part of the interview. She was asked what the game means for her squad.
“We're all super excited about it,” she said. “It’s a chance for us to get our names more out there in the community as a team.
“Our identity as a team is being present in the community and doing things for the community, so I think this is a great opportunity for our team and yeah, we're just super excited to be able to be a part of it.”
Jack was asked if the Broncos are a bit intimidated about going up against some members of the police or fire department who might be pretty big, compared to some of the Broncos.
"We're a little nervous, but I'm sure we can take them,” she said.
Price noted the game is slated to be non-contact.
“I'm sure just by nature we will have some competitive people out there that will certainly try and put the effort in and want to win,” he said.
“But the end of the day, it's just about two community partners coming together and having a positive outcome and raising some money for someone in the community that needs it.”
Plans are in place to keep the entertainment coming during the two intermissions.
During the first one, the U7 Grizzlies are scheduled to play some mini games.
Tickets for a 50/50 draw will be sold with the winner announced during the second intermission. 50/50 tickets can be purchased at https://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/mvess.
Also during the second intermission, in an event sponsored by Hildebrand Motors, three people whose names were drawn as they entered the building will be able to shoot pucks for two prizes for $10,000.
Jack said her team’s role in the runup to the event is to promote the game on social media, which they’ve been doing.
If this charity hockey game is successful, Price would love to make it an annual event. If he does hold others, he says he would likely move on from the Emergency Shelter to help fund other causes.
“I think it's important to spread the wealth through the community, right?
“We have a small community and there's lots of not-for-profit organizations out there that can always use some help especially during the holidays,” he said.
