It’s a big day for hockey on Jan. 21 in Lake Cowichan. That’s the day of the annual minor hockey jamboree, which sees all levels play at some point over the course of the day with an all-teams skills event on the ice from 12:10 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Following the U18’s 5:30 p.m. game, an alumni game will be played, a special addition to this year’s jamboree.
“Minor hockey here turned 50 two years ago and with COVID we couldn’t do anything,” explained event emcee Ross Forrest.
So, in recognition of that, in addition to the alumni game, which will see 34 players suit up to play once again in Lakers colours, some of the volunteers who’ve made contributions to hockey in Lake Cowichan over the last 50 years will be recognized.
“It’s going to be a special event that night. As we all know, hockey doesn’t happen without a lot of volunteers.”
All are welcome to the jamboree and alumni game, which is being hosted by the minor hockey directors including: Kari McKinlay, Dana Neuffer, Jada Forrest, and Rachel Zalinko, and others.
“It sounds like it’s going to be a really good turnout of people. We’d like to see the arena full again,” Forrest said.
While there is no charge for admission, 50/50 tickets will be available and those who purchase the tickets will be included in a Lake Cowichan District Minor Hockey trivia contest for a chance to win prizes.
Forrest said that the youngest player suiting up for the alumni is Lake Cowichan Kraken centre Richard Bergman, who has only recently aged out of minor hockey and joined the hometown junior B team.
The oldest players will be 60, and will likely have played the first year of hockey the year the arena was built 52 years ago. Some of those players now have grandchildren involved in minor hockey there, making it a full three generations of hockey in Lake Cowichan.
There’ll be some familiar faces on the alumni rosters as well.
“Most of the people that played hockey that went professional afterwards — to the NHL, AHL, Europe or somewhere else — they’re pretty well all coming back,” Forrest said. “I think there’s one or two that won’t be there.”
The puck drops for the alumni game at 7 p.m. with a social to follow.
“It should be fun for all ages,” Forrest said. “From the kids who play minor hockey now, right to their grandparents. It should be a really fun evening.”