Hockey dreams coming true
By Lookout Production on Jan 29, 2024 with Comments 0
CFB Esquimalt members gather for a photo with Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and Kevin Bieksa during a ship visit on Jan. 20 as part of Hockey Day in Canada activities. Photo: Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada
Peter Mallett,
Staff Writer
—
Playing hockey with a childhood goaltending idol was a moment to remember for Petty Officer First Class (PO1) Randy Collens of Naval Fleet School (Pacific).
The goaltender with the CFB Esquimalt men’s and senior men’s Tritons hockey teams met Bill Ranford as they shared goaltending duties in this year’s Hockey Day in Canada Celebrity and Alumni Classic game on Jan. 17 at Ship Point.
“Getting to see the Stanley Cup up close and play with some of hockey’s legends reinforced to me how happy and fulfilling hockey has been for me my whole life,” said PO1 Collens. “I am currently showing the same to my 16-year-old son Tristan so he can pursue his hockey dreams too.”
The game was part of events leading up to the 24th annual Scotiabank Hockey Day In Canada on Sportsnet. The yearly celebration of our national winter sport was broadcast live from Victoria’s Ship Point on Jan. 20.
Others taking part in the game included former NHLers Greg Adams, Andrew Ference, Kevin Bieksa, Wendel Clark, Kirk McLean, and Nathan LaFayette, along with Sportsnet commentators Ron MacLean, Evanka Osmak, David Amber, Ken Reid and Jennifer Botterill.
The ‘wow factor’ amped up a notch for PO1 Collens when he strapped his goalie pads and skates for Darcy Tucker’s alumni team in their game against Lanny McDonald’s team at the Save on Foods Memorial Centre on Jan. 19.
PO1 Collens made some key saves, including stopping Bieksa on a breakaway with a poke check and turning back multiple shots by Clark.
“Wendel tapped me and said ‘nice save’, Kirk McLean rubbed my head and said the same,” said PO1 Collens. “It was also nice hearing that I did great from my teammates in the dressing room during the intermission.”
He says the final score didn’t matter much to him, as merely playing on the same patch of ice with NHL legends was an unforgettable experience.
“The building was packed and loud with over 7,000 fans,” he said. “Playing in the game and getting to chat with so many NHL legends during the game and in the locker room was an amazing experience that I will never forget.”
Meanwhile volunteers and staff of the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) and their corporate sponsors helped sate the appetites of hockey fans during Hockey Day in Canada. Lisa Church, MFRC Community Engagement Manager, reports that no fewer than 1,500 pancakes, 1,200 burgers, 800 hot dogs and other refreshments were served up for patrons at Ship Point on Jan. 20.
“Meeting and hosting Elliotte, Kevin, and the rest of the Hockey Day in Canada team, was an absolute honour,” Capt(N) Whiteside said. “It was awesome to see them share their time with sailors, soldiers, and aviators, and, of course, to listen to their anecdotes and insights from life inside the NHL.”
“We are grateful for the inclusion of the Base in many Hockey Day in Canada events, and for the incredible support we receive from our surrounding communities in the CRD and from Canadians nation wide.”
RCN honoured in Hockey Day in Canada festivities
The Sportsnet broadcast team also visited Dockyard on Jan. 20 to share a cup of coffee and talk all things hockey with Base sailors, aviators and soldiers.
The Sportsnet broadcast team also visited Dockyard on Jan. 20 to share a cup of coffee and talk all things hockey with Base sailors, aviators and soldiers.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Rogers Sportsnet personality, and Kevin Bieksa, also a former NHLer, completed a brief tour of HMCS Ottawa.
“My family would not be in Canada without all of the people who served in our military over 80 years ago and I have never forgotten that,” said Friedman. “That is why attending CFB Esquimalt and meeting its members was a great honor for me.”
Captain (Navy) Kevin Whiteside, CFB Esquimalt Base Commander, also welcomed the Sportsnet delegation to the base in front of his former ship, HMCS Vancouver.
Orca-class training vessel Raven helped escort canoes carrying members of the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations, Vancouver Canucks Legend Geoff Courtnall and local police services. Photo: Hockey Day in Canada
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