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January 30, 2009

What Hockeyville Really Means



Hockeyville is in Terrace. Hockey Night In Canada will be broadcasting from the Terrace Sportsplex, keeping tabs on the senior Terrace River Kings playoff match against the Hazelton Wolverines. Be sure to tune in to Hockey Night In Canada Saturday night and see why Terrace is Hockeyville!

Kirk McLean and Cassie Campbell are in town. Businesses and schools are all busy decorating, and main street is closing to vehicle traffic so that we can play street hockey games. Hopefully the chilling rains subside, because this is one the biggest weekends the town of Terrace has ever seen.

What Hockeyville Really Means

I have noticed some people are a bit critical about Hockeyville. "Not everyone likes hockey," mumble these piddling grumps who can not see past their own stuck-up-in-the-air noses.

But Hockeyville is not really about hockey. It's about town spirit. It's about promoting our town. And it's about the youth of Terrace, the future of community.

When was the last time we saw Terrace get so involved in a community event? This dwarfs Riverboat Days or the Farmer's Market or celebrating that three day stretch of hot weather we occasionally get in the summer time.

And how is it a bad thing to have Terrace promoted before an audience of at least 1 million people, likely much more? If 1%, or 10,000, of these people say hey let's go check out that Terrace place some time in the next couple of years, that is amazing free advertising. 10,000 people staying at hotels, lodges or campgrounds, eating at local restaurants, buying fishing licenses and gear. . . spending money in our community. How can you not support that?

Achieving Dreams and Giving Hope

And then there is the youth. Kirk McLean and especially Cassie Campbell were amazing, holding seminars on and off ice, sharing with kids the stories and moments of glory days, and telling them how it is possible for every kid in town to achieve similar dreams. Not necessarily hockey dreams, but any dreams. With their inspiration and guidance, maybe years from Terrace will boast a Prime Minister, an astronaut or a NHL star. Or maybe some will stay home, and become doctors or teachers, entrepreneurs and coaches right here in Terrace.

It is important for the youth to have dreams and just as important to know that yes they can achieve them. That's what Hockeyville is really about.

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