PICTOU – Pictou youth turned out with hockey sticks and gloves Tuesday to help raise money for their local arena.
About 25 children and two hometown hockey heroes took part in a TSN taping for a contest that could net the arena $25,000 towards renovations. The 37-year-old rink, which is also used for the Pictou North Colchester Exhibition, is in need of a new floor and roof.
Pictou natives NHL goaltender Joey MacDonald, wearing his Detroit Red Wings jersey, and World Champion Carmen MacDonald, wearing her Team Canada jersery, played ball hockey with friends and family during the two-hour taping to promote Pictou in the Kraft Celebration 10 in 10 tour contest.
“It’s great to come together,” said MacDonald who grew up playing hockey in the Hector Arena. “This is huge for the town.”
The Hector Arena made the top 20 community finalists and the public will have a chance to vote from noon, Wednesday, July 14, to 11:59 a.m. July 15 for the local rink. It is up against Gagetown, N.B., for the $25,000 prize. TSN will also broadcast an episode of Sportscentre from the winning hometown.
2010 World Champion goalie for Canada’s National Female Under-18 team, Carmen MacDonald, said she was happy to support the Hector Arena since it is an important part of her past.
“This is my hometown town rink where everything started,” she said. Currently studying at Westminster School in Connecticut, Carmen said she still likes to play in the gentlemen’s league when she returns home from school breaks.
Other children in attendance, some wearing their Maripacs hockey jerseys, said people should support the Hector Arena because it is where they have the most fun during the fall and winter months.
“It’s a great arena,” said Tim Shea. “It’s not too fancy. It’s like the good old days.”
“Our rink is in desperate need of fixing,” said Kayla Reid.
“It’s really fun to play hockey here,” said her sister Jenna.
“I like it because it’s my home rink,” said another sister, MacKenzie.
The taping lasted for much of Tuesday morning and the promo will air before voting starts July 14. Voting is unlimited and can only be done in the 24-hour period. Anyone can vote online by clicking on to http://kraftcelebrationtour.tsn.ca/top20/1685#matchup
