SUMMERSIDE - Plenty of activities are planned over several days to build up the excitement and anticipation of the Feb. 11 live broadcast from Summerside of CBC's "Hockey Day in Canada".
On Wednesday, Feb. 8, things kick off with a shinny hockey game in Charlottetown featuring CBC personalities and NHL alumni. That day also marks the beginning of the Stanley Cup Relay, which is tentatively scheduled to begin in western P.E.I.
The relay is "an opportunity for us to take the Stanley Cup into a variety of different communities across the province," said Rob Newson, chair of the Hockey Day 2012 local organizing committee. "We will go from Tignish to Souris and stop in different communities. It could be a school or it could be at a rink or community centre. We're just working out those details."
That night in Summerside, Wyatt Heritage Properties will present the play, "The Dressing Room," at 7 p.m. at Harbourfront Theatre.
The Stanley Cup Relay continues on Feb. 9, this time making its way through eastern P.E.I. A corporate luncheon featuring NHL alumni takes place in Summerside and an autograph session takes place at the Charlottetown Scotiabank location. Minor hockey clinics featuring NHL alumni are planned for across the province.
That night, at the Confederation Centre, Ron MacLean of "Hockey Night in Canada" will host the musical concert tribute to the sport, "Stolen From a Hockey Card".
The night features Lennie Gallant, Chris Murphy of Sloan, Sarah Harmer and other artists who will each perform their hockey-themed songs written especially for the event. Showtime is 8 p.m.
On Friday, Feb. 10, the Stanley Cup Relay continues in central P.E.I. and more minor hockey clinics will be held featuring NHL alumni.
Former NHL players will sign autographs at the Summerside Scotiabank location. That night the Charlottetown Civic Centre plays host to the Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada Community banquet at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday is the day of the live broadcast from Credit Union Place of CBC's "Hockey Day in Canada", which includes "Hockey Night in Canada's" pre-game show, Coach's Corner featuring MacLean and Cherry, The Hot Stove and the game wrap-up.
Coverage begins at 1 p.m. continues until around midnight.
On the ice at EastLink Arena the UPEI Panthers will take on the St. Thomas Tommies at 2 p.m. The Summerside Western Capitals will host the Miramichi Timberwolves in Maritime Hockey League action at 8 p.m., taking centre stage as Hockey Night in Canada is in full swing.
"We do unfortunately spend a lot of our time in the hockey world talking about the negative issues," said Newson. "This is one great opportunity for us to put that aside for a week and just celebrate the good of the game, to recognize those who have come before us, recognize the volunteer today and talk about the kids of the future."
For more information, visit www.hockeyday2012.ca or follow @hockeyday2012 on Twitter.
nmacphee@journalpioneer.com
