Hockey extravaganza coming to CFB Esquimalt

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

Anticipation amongst sports fans at the base and throughout Victoria is mounting as the arrival of the Rogers Hometown Hockey event draws near.

CFB Esquimalt is one of 24 chosen locations to host the ultimate National Hockey League fan experience with Sportsnet hosts Ron MacLean and Tara Slone.

Naden will open to the public Saturday Feb. 16 and Sunday Feb. 17 for two afternoons of family-friendly fun with interactive activities, displays, entertainment, and an autograph session with former NHL goaltender Kirk McLean.

On Sunday afternoon, MacLean and Slone will broadcast a Hockey Night in Canada game from the Sportsnet Mobile Studio.

Live out-takes will be shown from the Wurtele Arena during the Montreal Canadiens and Florida Panthers game. The broadcast will also feature a segment of MacLean and Slone being taken aboard HMCS Vancouver for an intimate look at life in the navy

Base Commander, Captain (Navy) Jason Boyd will join Coach’s Corner icon and former Boston Bruins coach Don Cherry as special guest during the broadcast. Capt(N) Boyd says that he, much like the rest of the hockey fans at the base, is excited by the outreach opportunity for the Royal Canadian Navy and the men and women of the Pacific Fleet.

“Local hockey, or any sport for that matter, is something the base wants to support because many of our military and civilian members devote so much of their time to the game. They coach, they officiate, they play, and they volunteer at every level of the game from Atom to Oldtimer.”

Capt(N) Boyd has a strong connection to Canada’s national sport. He excelled playing youth hockey in tiny Rosetown, Sask. He was originally recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces to play hockey at Royal Military College of Canada back in 1984.

Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare charity Support Our Troops has partnered with Rogers Hometown Hockey. Capt(N) Boyd says, “the event will help shine the spotlight on a national organization that does so much for members of the Canadian Armed Forces, veterans, and their families.”

For more information about Rogers Hometown Hockey follow them on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram or visit hometownhockey.com