Former Front Recieves Local Support

The community of Verona couldn’t be happier with the success of one of its own. Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith played his heart out in the second round triumph over the NHL playoffs against the Nashville Predators.

Smith and his team now face the Los Angeles Kings in the Western Conference finals.

Prince Charles Public School, where Smith attended from Kindergarten through Grade 8, held a pep rally on May 3 to show its support and appreciation for the local hockey hero. Prince Charles has many hockey fans and their enthusiasm on Thursday was infectious.

Lisa Cousins-Badour, a Grade 2 teacher at Prince Charles, spearheaded the afternoon’s event. A major hockey fan herself, she was as proud as ever to show her support for the local goaltender.

“I had season tickets when Mike was playing for the [Kingston] Frontenacs, and I kept watching him after that with my family.”

Students in each grade designed beautiful artwork, including signs and posters, showing Smith they haven’t forgotten where he came from.

Members of Smith’s family attended Thursday’s event to witness first-hand how much their town is behind the Coyotes netminder.

“We love all the support,” said proud mother Ingrid Smith, who holds a jersey from every team her son has played on. Prior to his move to the Coyotes, Smith played for the Dallas Stars and the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Smith’s “Granny,” Norma, attended the event, too.

“This is great; I just love [the support].”

Chants could be heard throughout the halls of the school during the pep rally as Smith’s father, Ron, recorded a video to send to his son. Many of the students brought hockey jerseys to school to wear during the event and a Coyotes jersey, signed by Smith himself, hung from a basketball net. Colourful posters students designed and painted covered the gym wall to wall.

“Mike knows he has [hometown] support, and he appreciates all of it,” said Ron. “The support in [Verona] and Kingston is great. Friends email him while he’s on the road for support.”

Smith has been having an excellent season as the starting goaltender for the Phoenix Coyotes, and his playoff performance so far has been leading-edge.

“Lately we’ve been using the edge of the couch, instead of the whole thing,” joked Brad, Smith’s older brother. Brad, who also attended Prince Charles, joined in the It’s clear the staff and students at Prince Charles Public School, like Smith’s family, will be crossing their fingers that their Verona boy will be bringing the Stanley Cup home this summer.

With school spirit like this to encourage him, his chances are probably pretty good.