THUNDER BAY - Dozens of kids were putting their skills to the test to earn a spot in an upcoming road hockey game that any young hockey fan does not want to miss.
On Sunday, Fountain Tire hosted a competition for the final spot on Team Staal 2017, providing one young hockey fan the opportunity to play with NHL stars in the upcoming Fountain Tire Summer Classic during the Staal Foundation Open.
“We have a spot to give away for the Fountain Tire Summer Classic, so we thought instead of just raffling it off, we would host an event that would be fun for everybody and get everybody involved,” said Jeff Hunter, assistant manager at Fountain Tire. “Hopefully the kids have fun and someone will come away a winner and play in the classic.”
Last week, five other kids were named to Team Staal for their outstanding fundraising efforts for the Northern Cancer Fund.
The top three kids raised more than $16,000, nearly half of the more than $32,000 raised already.
“It’s just a really cool event and helps benefit the community,” Hunter said. “Last year we raised just about $33,000 and it all goes toward cancer research and stays in Thunder Bay.”
In order to earn that coveted last spot on Team Staal, kids were tested in a number of different challenges, from a plinko game, a frisbee toss, to testing their hockey shooting skills.
“We want to make it fair for everybody,” Hunter said. “It’s all luck and skill. The kids are going to need to get bounces to get the high point totals.”
Emmett Cleland was testing his skills and luck to earn that last spot on Sunday.
“I would like to get the last spot,” he said. “It would be fun. I would like to see the Staal brothers up close and some of the other players.”
Emmett said some of the competitions were a little challenging and required a little more than just luck.
“One of them is about skills,” he said. “There is a Frisbee toss. That is all about skill. You have to really aim.”
After an afternoon of competition, the top three point earners had their names entered into a draw and Garrett Winters was the lucky winner this year.
Garrett will be joining Edelweiss Price, Erica Geddes, Jadan Desormeaux, Steven Stadey and Ethen Friesen who were named to Team Staal last week.
The Fountain Tire Summer Classic will be held July 10 following the opening ceremonies of the Staal Foundation Open. The game will see some all-time NHL greats, including Bobby Orr, Grant Fuhr, Carter Hutton, and the Staal brothers.
