Hometown Hockey hits the Savoy
Rogers made-for-television event goes in Glace Bay despite inclement weather
They say a picture is worth a thousand words.
If so, the image of a young Russian hockey player with professional aspirations posing for a photograph with a Glace Bay hockey mom seemed to represent the spirit of the Rogers Hometown Hockey festival.
The former coal mining town has always been a hotbed of hockey and over the decades has been home to many great players, teams and personalities. But the world in 2018 is a smaller place than it once was and the partially televised event, presented by longtime “Hockey Night in Canada” host Ron McLean and sidekick Tara Sloane, is showing that Glace Bay is changing with the times.
From the packed arenas of yesteryear that played host to games of intense Cape Breton rivalry to today’s young players who sport jerseys of players like Ovechkin, Crosby, Fleury and Shaw, and who look at the game from a more international perspective, the game has changed.
And nowhere was that more evident than in the Savoy Theatre, where Sunday’s planned outdoor event was moved because of the weather.
A group of young people, including three university students from India, are all clad in Hometown Hockey’s signature red jerseys. One of the students, Amandeep Kaur, admits she knows little about hockey and that’s she’s never been to a game.
“But I like the community here, it’s exciting to see all the people,” said Kaur.
Deeper into the foyer, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles forward Egor Sokolov is posing for pictures and signing autographs. Local fans are now accustomed to watching international players like the 18-year-old Russian compete in local arenas.
Sporting a stylish moustache, the six-foot-three Sokolov poses for a picture with Michelle Brunette, a member of the Glace Bay Minor Hockey Association and mother to Allan MacPhee, a member of the Bantam A Miners.
“I’m so proud of Glace Bay — the weather may have forced us inside, but the crowd here just shows the community spirit and love of hockey that we have in Cape Breton,” said the smiling Brunette, who was attired in an old Miners jersey.
She wasn’t the only person showing off their favourite team. Everywhere one looked there was an abundance of Toronto Maple Leaf and Montréal Canadiens sweaters, with a few other NHL teams also on display. There was also plenty of local representation, including more than a few Miners uniforms.
But for those attending the Hometown Hockey event, the day began outside in the long line that stretched down the crowded steps of the Savoy and along the sidewalk a fair distance down Commercial Street.
A few hundred people back, the warmly dressed Murray family shuffled to stay warm as they waited for the line to move. Although he didn’t say much, 10-year-old Nathan Murray appeared to be the group spokesperson as he posed for a picture with brother Evan, 6, sister Sarah, 9, and friend and Miners teammate Carter Wadden.
“Hockey,” he immediately responded, when asked what he considers to be the best sport in the world.
The youngsters said they were looking forward to going inside to see what was going on.
“It’s all about hockey,” confirmed Murray, with a knowing nod.
Meanwhile, at the end of the long line Cape Breton Blizzard player Alyssa Wadden stood with her father Keith. And when asked why she was at the back of the queue, she responded: “I was playing hockey, of course.”
Back inside, another lengthy queue forms with fans looking for an autograph with former NHLers Paul MacLean and Alex Tanguay. The former grew up in Antigonish, while the latter is a Halifax Mooseheads star who skated in more than 1,000 NHL games with the Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames, Montréal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning and Arizona Coyotes before retiring two years ago.
The congenial Tanguay inspired many in the crowd to don their Avalanche jerseys. Sixteen-year-old Brandon MacKeigan makes it to the former star, gets a hockey card signed and has but one question to ask.
“What was it like to play with Joe Sakic?” he asked, about the Hall of Famer who led the Avalanche to two Stanley Cups.
To which Tanguay, who with 283 goals and 863 points was no slouch on the ice, responded: “It was amazing to play with him, Joe was one of the most skilled players in the game and it was honour to be on the same team.”
But not only was the festival a celebration of local hockey, it was also a showcase for local talent and culture. Sunday’s musical lineup included performances by the Men of the Deep and the Trews.
Then it was time for MacLean and Sloan to do their television thing, which included a live pregame show prior to the Winnipeg Jets versus New Jersey Devils match.
For the Hometown Hockey folks, it’s off to Newfoundland for next weekend’s destination of Mount Pearl.
And, for local players, their families and fans — the season has only just begun!