Simpcw First Nation youth coordinator Louise Lodge recently accompanied 20 First Nations youth to meet the Vancouver Canucks hockey team on Dec. 5.
Lodge told Black Press it was an “amazing and unforgettable experience,” saying Rogers Communication invited 20 youth to be a part of the Vancouver Canucks First Nations hockey night. In collaboration with the Canucks organization, “Rogers gave Simpcw youth memories that will last a lifetime.”
Not only were the youth introduced to the team — many of whom had never played hockey before — they were treated like royalty, being served breakfast in box seats to watch the Canucks pre-game practice and be surprised by a visit with the team mascot, Fin the Whale.
Fin, an orca whale, is known for his love of the charity Canucks for Kids fund, and it’s been said his favourite movies are Orca and Free Willy.
The trip was jam-packed with swag from Rogers for each young person, which included a toque, puck, gloves and a bag.
The ultimate keepsakes were authentic Canucks jerseys with their names on the back, skates, a helmet and hockey gloves.
“The kids even had a dressing room visit from the team coaches, Hall of Famer Rick Tocchet and Adam Foote,” said Lodge. “Later on, they were announced onto the ice in Rogers Arena by name and spent skate time with the all-star goalie Kirk McLean, who spent 30 minutes with Simpcw goalie Thunder Camille.”
Lodge said the kids were thrilled and spent even more time in special box seats enjoying dinner while watching the game between the Canucks and New Jersey Devils.
“It was amazing. They even met Darcy Rota, Pius Suter and Kirk Mclean, and were treated to dessert from the arena gelato cart,” said Lodge.
All of the youth came away with autographs and photos with the team and, to top off the experience, were honoured with special edition Canucks First Nations t-shirts, a puck and pins as gifts to take home. Canucks captain #43, Quinn Hughes, came by to meet the Simpcw youth before they ended the trip with a special thank-you speech to all of the Canucks hosts by Oshen Donald from Simpcw First Nation.
The coordinator praised the youth, saying, “In the end, the smiles and memories of the 20 youth were priceless. Every host from SDI Sports, Rogers Communications and the Canucks organization were amazing and accommodating. The youth engaged with each of them, and friendships were formed. The community should be proud of how the youth represented Simpcw and their families.”
