My Hockey Day in Canada experience
Once a year, the weekly Hockey Night in Canada broadcast turns into Hockey Day in Canada, with a full day of NHL games interspersed with stories from a selected community in Canada. For the 2024 edition, Victoria, BC was the lucky community, and Shawnigan was fortunate enough to be part of the festivities. First, Mr. Andrew Ference, who won the Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins in 2011 and is now an ice hockey coach at the School, brought the Cup to Shawnigan. Then, Alex Nelson and Morgan Jackson from our U18 Prep girls’ team were invited to take part in the events in Victoria, which included a gala dinner, a game with NHL alumni, and, for Alex, a visit to the Songhees Wellness Centre. Here are some of Alex’s reflections on what the week meant to her.
Wednesday night: Opening faceoff and player draft
We had food and drinks in a giant tent on Ship Point. There were stories and then the players’ draft. I was drafted to Team Tucker by Darcy Tucker and Cassie Campbell-Pascall. It was incredible to meet everyone and get a close look at the Stanley Cup. I met Lanny McDonald there, and it was an honour to be in the presence of hockey royalty.
Thursday morning: Visit to the Songhees Wellness Centre
Ron MacLean from Hockey Night in Canada invited young local Aboriginal hockey players to speak about their stories as he highlighted ISPARC (Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council) Team BC members: Victoria Cougars player Ben Brant, Victoria Royals defenceman and Arizona Coyotes draft pick Justin Kipkie, and myself.
It was inspiring to take pictures with the children gathered and share my path and hopes with them. It was a special visit because in addition to my membership in the Snuneymuwx First Nation I also have ties to the Songhees Nation.
Thursday night: Gala dinner
Held at the Victoria Conference Centre, the Gala was attended by 800 people, all associated with the weekend: players, dignitaries, and fans. I was honoured to be invited by BC Minister of Tourism Lana Popham. My father and I joined her at her table and sat back to soak up three hours of hockey lore and entertainment. Former NHL star Geoff Courtnall told a story about how tough Wendel Clark was: “When we were playing together, we got into a fight with two other players. The player I was fighting was huge and was picking me up off the ground by a foot. Wendel was beating the player beside me and looked over and said to my guy, ‘Let him go, or you’re next. The player immediately let me go…’” That is how tough Wendel Clark was.
Friday night: Game with NHL alumni and celebrities.
The White Team (my team) beat the Red Team 7-5 after four periods of hockey. I shared the net with Randy Collens from CFB Esquimalt. I was scored on by Andrew Ference (former NHL defenceman and current Shawnigan hockey coach) and Kevin Bieska (former NHL defenceman and current Hockey Night in Canada commentator) — not sure how I feel about getting scored on, but it was an honour to share the ice with them.
Saturday: Hockey Day in Canada
I joined the alumni at ship point for an interview with Ron MacLean. We arrived at the site at approximately 10 a.m. and joined Brian Burke, Cassie Campbell-Pascall and Darcy Tucker for coffee and muffins. After that, my father and I wandered the celebration soaking up the atmosphere of the celebration. Hockey is more than a sport here, it is a part of who we are, and it was an honor to be a part of it.
Alex Nelson is a Grade 12 student at Shawnigan Lake School, a goalie on the U18 Prep girls’ ice hockey team, and a proud member of the Snuneymuxw First Nation.
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
