A group of Brantford minor hockey players got the opportunity of a lifetime on the weekend to attend an NHL game and watch some of their hockey heroes in action.
“They were all on Cloud 9,” said Tim McGee, head coach of the under-seven Rangers tyke team that was chosen to represent the Timbit hockey program.
Ten of his players and their chaperones got to attend the NHL Heritage Classic outdoor game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Buffalo Sabers on Sunday afternoon played at Hamilton’s Tim Hortons Field.
“For a lot of them, it was their very first game,” said McGee.
“At times, they were speechless and all day they were grinning from ear to ear. I understand some are still bouncing off the walls. They’ll never forget it.”
After local Tim Hortons owner Keri Korfmann submitted the team for consideration to participate in the event, McGee was notified he could take two goalies and eight players.
In addition to attending the sold-out game with 26,000 other fans, the players donned Maple Leaf and Saber jerseys to play on an auxiliary rink throughout the game to celebrate Ontario’s youth hockey roots.
For pre-game ceremonies, Jacob Schouten carried a Maple Leaf banner and Wyatt Robinson carried a Sabers banner, while Everett McLean was tapped for a pre-game interview. The coach’s son, Quinn McGee, was introduced on the red carpet just before the ceremonial puck drop, which was headlined by another Brantfordian — NHL great Wayne Gretzky. Quinn got to shake hands with the Great One.
Gretzky paid tribute to his dad, who died March 4, 2021, saying Walter was a booster of youth hockey
“He was always at the rinks encouraging young boys and young girls to enjoy the game of hockey,” he said. “So, congratulations and good luck to both teams today as we honor parents and grandparents of all these kids.”
The coach said it was difficult deciding on which the team’s 13 players could attend Sunday’s game. So, he and assistant coach Jay Robinson drew names after determining who was available for the day.
Also attending were players Evaline Grantham, Ben Parker, Cooper Petitclerc, Kane Riley, Daniel Wills and Colin Wright.
The coach presented a jersey and official Heritage Classic puck at Tuesday night’s team practice to Raphael Burton, Jayce Raposo and Gannon Rennenberg, who did not attend Sunday’s game.
McGee’s wife, Malinda McGee, who also volunteers with the team, said some of the players fell asleep on the bus ride home Sunday.
“A big thanks to Keri Korfmann and Tim Hortons for brightening these kids’ lives,” she said.
“They had such a blast.”
@EXPSGamble