Jeff Heuchert
Staff Reporter
It was as pretty a hat trick as Stratford has ever seen – the CBC, city staff, and a team of 400 dedicated volunteers – working together to put on an event that was, by all measures, an absolute success.
An estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people converged along the Avon River and Lakeshore Drive Saturday to take in the finale of the city’s Hockey Day in Canada celebration.
Kids and adults alike skated on the river from dawn ’til dusk, while crowds filled the nearby parking lots and venues to take in the various games and attractions – all providing the perfect backdrop for the CBC’s live broadcast throughout the day.
“I’ve never seen so many people out here,” commented long-time Stratford resident Warren Weber Saturday, as he looked out over the Avon River. “The people who have been involved with this have done a super job. This is great ... great for the city.”
The Hockey Day celebration started the Tuesday before, and carried over four days leading into the weekend, and was highlighted by a NHL alumni game, school visits, hockey clinics, Randy Bachman concert, and community banquet. Stratford’s own Peter Mansbridge also joined in the celebration, braving frigid temperatures to broadcast The National from along the Avon River.
With the national spotlight on the city Saturday, Hockey Night in Canada host Ron MacLean began his live broadcast on the river around noon, while Don Cherry made his much anticipated arrival prior to the Junior B game in the evening, welcomed into the William Allman by the Stratford Festival’s Fanfare musicians. The popular duo also took part in various events over the five days.
Speaking with the Gazette Monday, Mayor Dan Mathieson, who co-chaired the event organizing committee with Tim Taylor, said all five days of Hockey Day were an incredible experience for the entire community.
“I am sure many people have a mountain of incredible memories from this past week, and the positive image of our community has been radiated across the nation – something that can only have a huge positive impact now and in the future.”
For Taylor, Saturday represented the culmination of nine months of planning and hard work.
He said seeing so many people out enjoying the event made him proud to call Stratford home.
“I salute the city of Stratford because the people have been tremendous ... the volunteers and organizers,” he added. “Without the support of the citizens of this city, this could not have happened.
While the CBC’s coverage throughout the week touched on many pieces of the city’s history, focus was duly given to the Allman Arena. On Saturday morning, the city unveiled its plaque honouring the arena’s designation as a heritage site.
Allan O’Neill, chair of Heritage Stratford, noted at the brief ceremony, the arena, which opened in 1924, exudes a presence and vibrancy that enhances the lives of many in the city.
“It’s not just bricks and mortar that make a building worth designating,” he added. “It’s the memories and the traditions associated with them that are just as important.”
For many families who waited in a long line to have their picture taken with the Stanley Cup, got to shake hands and get an autograph from a former NHLer, or even received on-ice instruction from a past player, Hockey Day has left its mark.
Mayor Mathieson said one of the most rewarding moments from Hockey Day was seeing kids’ expressions at the school visits and clinics, which were attended by the likes of Wendel Clark and Cassie Campbell-Pascall.
“To see their smiling faces ... to have people they would only see on TV be in their community ... I’m sure to meet them was incredible.”
On Wednesday, elementary students from St. Aloysius and St. Ambrose schools donned their favourite team’s jersey to take part in one of the special assemblies held in the St. Michael gymnasium. Having Stratford natives Tim Taylor and linesman Steve Miller on the panel proved exciting for the students, who cheered loudly for their hometown hockey heroes.
After viewing a video, students learned about team work and life skills through a presentation focusing on three main aspects of hockey. Schools also presented cheers, and students were given a chance to ask the panelists questions about their hockey careers.
Xavier Rutherford, a Grade 6 student at St. Al’s who plays for the Stratford Warriors Minor Peewee MD team, named Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens as his favourite NHL player.
He said he enjoyed getting the chance to get up close to some NHL stars.
“I really liked the questions and hearing what all the NHL players had to say,” he said.
On Friday, players from the Bantam A and Midget AA girls’ teams took part in a clinic as a way to say thanks for their help throughout the event. The girls put together 1,500 gift bags for the Stratford minor hockey players who participated in clinics and helped out with the on-ice instruction.
Saturday’s family fun fair brought out hockey fans of all ages. Colin Schmidt, who grew up playing hockey in the city, captaining the 1996 Stratford Cullitons, took in the festivities with his family. Son Jonas, 4, also played in the Timbits Orange game earlier in the day. He said the attention the city was receiving from an national audience was unbelievable.
“I think this is a great thing for the city, great for the kids and great for the community.”
Darren Stairs also came down to the river Saturday with family for a skate. He praised organizers and supporters for a well-run five days.
“I like the effort Stratford has put into this and all the decorations in the windows, too ... everything has been top-of-the-line all week.”
A touching moment came Saturday evening before the game between Stratford and St. Marys, when Sebringville-area resident Kevin Brown, who was making one of his first public appearances since having his throat cut during a game he was refereeing Dec. 29 in Woodstock, came out for the ceremonial puck drop.
“For Kevin to drop the puck just signifies his resilience as he tries to recover from a tragic incident,” said Mayor Mathieson.
As the mayor noted prior to the Hockey Day celebration, the organizers’ goal was always to involve as many people as possible, something he believes they achieved.
In fact, the city has set the bar for the next host community so high, it will be difficult to reach, noted the executive director of CBC Sports Scott Moore, in a message to the mayor.
“You not only surpassed the expectations we had for you, but you also treated our staff extremely well,” added Moore. “Community and civic pride in your community, and the love of the game of hockey, is immense.”
