CHL Weekend Review: Home for the Holidays
The first half of the Canadian Hockey League season has come to an end but before the players headed home for the holidays there was still plenty of action on and off the ice.
Teddy Bear Toss
The North Bay Battalion hosted the season’s final Teddy Bear Toss game collecting toys to support families and children in need.
📸's from the #TeddyBearToss clean up! pic.twitter.com/ZTtKIbsgi0
— North Bay Battalion (@OHLBattalion) December 20, 2019
Wawanesa Toy Drives
36 toy drives across the CHL in partnership with Wawanesa collected over 11,000 toys and raised over $28,000 to support local charities this holiday season.
Canada, thank you! Over 11,000 toys and $28,000 collected for kids. We’re grateful to our 36 charity partners, the 208 independent insurance brokers who helped, and all the generous people who welcomed us into their communities. #holidaygiving #charities pic.twitter.com/XWf4HYTnL2
— Wawanesa Insurance (@Wawanesa) December 18, 2019
Caring for the Community
Teams from coast-to-coast took time before their final games to reach out to their communities to help spread holiday cheer to those in need.
We spent a morning at @GrandviewKids Campbell Children’s School playing games and taking part in some festive activities! pic.twitter.com/qSPW9vKZnx
— Oshawa Generals (@Oshawa_Generals) December 19, 2019
Out with our friends from Atlantic Superstore this morning delivering food boxes to those in need around greater Moncton! #community #giveback pic.twitter.com/yByu7tCShv
— Moncton Wildcats (@monctonwildcats) December 20, 2019
This holiday season we teamed up with @childrenswishsk to deliver gifts to patients at the Jim Pattison Children's Hospital.
We had a lovely time spreading Christmas cheer and making some new buddies along the way 💙💛 pic.twitter.com/sDian4c3y1
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) December 22, 2019
Nous avons participé à la Magie de Noël, organisée par la Fondation À Notre Santé de l’hôpital Hôtel-Dieu d’Arthabaska !
Une belle activité qui a mis des sourires sur plusieurs visages ! ☺️ #GoTigresGo pic.twitter.com/ZZ3OwCFrdF
— Tigres de Victoriaville (@TigresVicto) December 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/BulldogsOHL/status/1207343010624819205
We had a great time celebrating Christmas with members of our Clarky’s Kids program last night.
Families enjoyed a pizza party with the players, crafts courtesy of @smilezone4kids, and a special appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus! 🎅🤶 pic.twitter.com/RfOnKHbvpl
— Kitchener Rangers (@OHLRangers) December 18, 2019
Today we visited @KingstonHSC to bring some toys and mini sticks to kids in need of care this holiday season.
The staff are incredible, but the kids are the stars! Their positive attitude is something we can all learn from.
Thanks for having us @KingstonHSC!#WeRiseTogether pic.twitter.com/C3pqldZFxj
— Kingston Frontenacs (@KingstonFronts) December 17, 2019
Rogers Hometown Hockey
The Calgary Hitmen took advantage of a nearby stop on the Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour and celebrated their 25th season with their friends in Strathmore.
All set up and ready in Strathmore for the weekend for @hometownhockey_ Make sure to stop by! #25Together pic.twitter.com/E4DavpRE1F
— Calgary Hitmen (@WHLHitmen) December 21, 2019
Among the broadcast features was the incredible story of the Wiesblatt family that includes Prince Albert Raiders star Ozzy, older brothers Ocean and Orca (Calgary Hitmen), and younger brother Oasiz (Medicine Hat Tigers) who all play hockey.
https://twitter.com/hometownhockey_/status/1208930289692495872
Rogers Hometown Hockey will visit four CHL cities in 2020, including Hamilton (Jan. 19), Ottawa (Feb. 9), Quebec City (Feb. 16), and Edmonton (March 29).
Korczak Signs
Kelowna Rockets defenceman Kaedan Korczak signed his entry-level contract with the Vegas Golden Knights who selected him in the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft.
The Yorkton, Saskatchewan, product is on pace for a career-year with 28 points through 32 games becoming the 25th CHL player picked in June to sign since their selection.
The Golden Knights have signed Kaedan Korczak to a three-year entry level contract!
👊 @Korczak21 https://t.co/S63EtIBkbx
— 🏆 – Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) December 21, 2019
Dream come true signing my first NHL contract with the @GoldenKnights can’t thank everyone enough for all the support! You’re next @Korzy19 pic.twitter.com/6CL7zFOiat
— Kaedan Korczak (@Korczak21) December 22, 2019
Special Guests
The Memorial Cup was in Kelowna just month ahead of the 2020 national championship where it will be awarded for the 102nd time in May.
There's a special guest in the house tonight! pic.twitter.com/MSs7AT0JRd
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) December 19, 2019
Sticking with the Rockets and the theme of special guests, goaltender Roman Basran joined the Hockey Night in Punjabi studio during Saturday night’s broadcast.
Roman Basran, goaltender for the @Kelowna_Rockets joined us in studio today! #GrowtheGame pic.twitter.com/eTtCoo3DFX
— Hockey Night Punjabi (@HkyNightPunjabi) December 22, 2019
Hockey Gives Blood
Player Ambassadors Carter Robertson of the Owen Sound Attack and Jacob Ingham of the Kitchener Rangers took part in a ceremonial faceoff on Wednesday in support of the Nuttall family and their daughter who was a recipient of 200 units of blood prior to her passing from cancer in 2011.
Player Ambassadors @Carterr_2 & @JacobIngham_ lined up for a rare D-man & goalie puck drop to support the Nuttall family. Their daughter (8), was the recipient of 200 units of blood prior to her passing from cancer in 2011. @AttackOHL @OHLRangers @OHLHockey @CanadasLifeline pic.twitter.com/S0RbefvsYU
— Hockey Gives Blood (@hkygivesblood) December 19, 2019
Tribute for Tucker
The Niagara IceDogs honoured the training staff and medical personnel that came to the aid of goaltender Tucker Tynan prior to Thursday’s game then celebrated victory for their teammate who is now at home recovering.
Thank you :
Chris Trivieri, Nick Hornby, Nick Tamburri, Dr. David Dec, Doug Stacey (not pictured), Adrien Beraldo, Megan and Dylan, Dr. Prateek Goyal, and Aaron, Kelly, Connor and Andy Garrett. pic.twitter.com/vMTpAcwmcj
— Niagara IceDogs (@OHLIceDogs) December 21, 2019
.@OHLIceDogs say goalie Tucker Tynan has been released from hospital and is returning home to Chicago for recovery.https://t.co/aOUgzHXlOW
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 17, 2019
Tonight, prior to puck drop, we honoured those who treated Tucker Tynan following the unfortunate accident last Thursday.
Thank you, heroes! pic.twitter.com/XLtDMYe2QO
— Niagara IceDogs (@OHLIceDogs) December 20, 2019
The @OHLIceDogs with a big 11-3 win for @TuckerTynan1. 💙 pic.twitter.com/rc64vLnFFa
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 20, 2019
A brotherhood 🐶 pic.twitter.com/cKFgM7m7f7
— Niagara IceDogs (@OHLIceDogs) December 20, 2019