Flames star Cammalleri hits ice with bantam club
NHLER makes surprise appearance at local rink
On what was a low-point day for Mike Cammalleri — the NHL cancelled the first two weeks of the season — the Calgary Flames star managed to put smiles on the faces of some young hockey players.
Cammalleri, who grew up in Richmond Hill, surprised the Richmond Hill Stars bantam A team by skating with them at practice on Thursday evening at Elgin Barrow Arena, the very ice where Cammalleri learned to skate.
“It sounded like a fun thing to do, to go surprise some kids,” said Cammalleri. Turned out to be a blast. “It was a dream come true,” said Stars goalie Adam Sist. “Every kid wants to be in the NHL and we have an NHL mentor on the ice with us.”
Cammalleri casually skated on to the ice about five minutes into their practice. The team was told a new kid was trying out.
“We see him skating out like a bat out of hell, and it’s like, ‘Wow,’ ” said Sist. “We knew it was him by the time he got to the net.”
Some of the Stars are as tall as the 5-foot-9 Flames forward. Cammalleri listened to their coach call out the next drill and took part fully.
“It’s a pretty fun time,” said Mark DiNardo,13. “He’s a great player all around, great skater, great shooter. He’s having fun with the boys.”
Cammalleri was so into the drills, he actually hit DiNardo mid-ice. “It was a fun hit,” said DiNardo. At one point, Cammalleri turned his attention to the young coaching staff, explaining a 3-on-2 play the team might want to consider.
“You can see the excitement in the kids’ faces,” said Stars coach Mike Ast. “They’re trying extra hard out there.”
At the end of the practice, Cammalleri offered some shooting tips before sign- camera phones took full advantage.
“It’s nice to see an NHL player giving back,” said Patrick Lee, whose son Michael is on the team. “It’s really nice to see him come out. . . .
“I admire what he’s (Cammalleri) accomplished, because he’s not the biggest guy and he competes really hard.”
Maria DiNardo, Mark’s mom, took in the action with other excited parents.
“It’s very exciting. It’s a story they’ll be able to tell over and over again,” she said.