WESTLOCK – On Saturday, Dec. 14 the Westlock Warriors are holding their first Senior Hockey Alumni game at the Westlock Rotary Spirit Center.
“It's a great opportunity just to reconnect with people that they've(players) seen over the years and opportunity for some of the alumni to come back to the community,” commented Rod Kaliel, one of the organizers.
“A way to rekindle some of the memories of the past. We had some really good teams in those areas. We went to the provincial championship.”
The Senior Hockey Alumni Game will start at 5:45 p.m. and run to 7 p.m.
It is free to attend.
Kaliel contacted Westlock Warrior Alumni players via social media and other connections he has maintained through his own hockey involvement since 1998 in Westlock and through his time on the Legal Vipers team.
He worked with Andre deChamplain in Legal to set up the Senior Hockey Alumni game against the Legal Vipers alumni players.
The alumni players were invited back to watch a game before, but they spoke up and said they wanted to play a game as well.
On Dec. 14 the alumni will play a short game in advance of a warrior game. The alumni will stick around, watch the senior game and visit with people in attendance.
A beer garden will be held throughout the event.
A special tribute will be happening after the senior game in memory of a former coach, Doug McKinnon, who went by 'Mac.'
He was an influential person in getting senior hockey going in Westlock all those years ago, said Kaliel.
McKinnon passed away this summer. McKinnon was Kaliel’s coach back in 1998.
“He had a real passion for the game. He was a guy that played high level of hockey in the OHL for the Sioux Greyhounds,” said Kaliel.
McKinnon was injured in an accident that prevented him from playing competitively again.
His strong desire and passion for the game led him to coaching.
“It was just his love of the game that really sticks out for me. He'd love to talk hockey for you could talk about you for hours,” said Kaliel.
The Westlock team will include a combination of Westlock Warrior players and Wolfpack alumni.
A complete list of players will be posted next week on the Westlock Warriors Facebook page.
There is a $5 regular admission to stay and watch the senior Warrior game after the alumni game.
