THUNDER BAY -- Sunday was the first Winter Family Fun Day of the season at Prince Arthur’s Landing but you could have called it the pre-game show.
Young people dressed in their skates and hockey jerseys smiled and waved for a drone video that will be played on Jan. 3, 2016 when Rogers Hometown Hockey hits Thunder Bay’s waterfront.
The ice rink was flooded with skaters and the energy around playing host to the broadcast is ramping up.
“We’ve got a great turnout already. I’d say we’ve seen thousands of people coming and going but for the Roger’s Hometown Hockey, we’ll be seeing thousands throughout the weekend,” said Thunder Bay events supervisor Kelly Rooney.
A few Lakehead Thunderwolves were skating around the circle in their jerseys as well, making an appearance to hype children up for the big event.
“It’s such a historic city for hockey players. For example, our good buddy Matthew Murray last night got his NHL debut with the Penguins,” said Thunderwolves winger, Nathan Cull.
“It’s nice to give back and hopefully see a lot of these youngsters in the big leagues one day.”
Josh Todish and his son Emerson were among the families taking in the unseasonably warm afternoon. Josh said seeing the next generation rising with the hockey spirit was inspirational.
“I lived it (hockey) my whole life pretty much and Emerson started when he was about two and now he’s in a hockey league starting for the first time,” he said.
“It brings me back to my childhood when we got to go out and skate and have fun and just hang out with family and friends and just get in the spirit of winter and hockey season.
