Hockey Day in Canada
Written by Mark Payne @hockeypayne
No matter what level of the game I cover I always recognize that “game recognizes game”. I was reminded of this many years ago in the TSN newsroom when a colleague asked me where I had gone to broadcasting school. I told him, Lethbridge Community College. He replied, “I’ve never heard of it, but if you made it here it must be true, the cream always rises to the top”.
I appreciated the compliment as I was suffering from homesickness for my home Province of Alberta but mostly the familiarness of family and friends. Alberta has been home ever since those days but I always find my best perspective in the mountains. I have dubbed it “Cabin Mode”.
When our NWCAA yearbook Editor Karen Stauble Ruzicki reached out for some photos of our day in Canmore I immediately reached out and mentioned I wanted to write a reflection piece on the event as well. I like to look at the pictures and combine it with memories of the day’s events; I always find a trip to watch the kids skate at the local outdoor rink provides perspective and motivation.
When I spotted a young minor hockey player decked head to toe in his Winnipeg Jets Mark Scheifele gear it struck that grass roots cord. His Dad and I talked about the NHL Central Division leaders and he commented that I really knew the team, not just the stars. “Yeah I’m a hockey fan”. He then explained he had a successful minor hockey career and was a member of the NW Flames, he then went on to play Junior after playing with our Head Coach Ben Sherven. Yet another example that the hockey world is a small one.
Everyone got in on the act on this chilly January weekend. #4 Ty Pannett was interviewed pregame. #5 Caleb Gartner was his usual upbeat self and even #7 Clayton Nesbitt made the trip with the team.
Nesbitt was recovering from a serious leg injury he sustained at the Circle K Classic. The NW Stamps Captain #21 Harrison Todd has stepped up in his absence with the U18 AAA Flames. #10 Avan Mah will also be back in the lineup for the Flames stretch run that will see the team play nine games in 23 days.
#8 Kyle Obobaifo packed the best dress shirt for Sunday’s game against the Buffaloes where #12 Josh Carreiro, #16 Jack McHarg and #18 Cohen Pentney all played strong games at Cardel Place.
#11 Evan Segstro, #20 Nathan Crellin and #27 Lukas Miller were all strong performers and it was just too bad Crellin wasn’t still all decked postgame for dinner as he was dressed to kill all week long!
Our goaltending coach Adam Marcoux was impressed with the goaltending and Assistant Coach Gord Sherven got a chance to spend some quality time with family in the mountains.
On Sunday morning after the players finished breakfast I caught up with our Assistant Coach Kieran O’Neil where he shared tales of several seasons his Dad had helped out with the Mac’s Midget tournament now known as the Circle K Classic. On the bus ride home General Manager Bruce Corrigal shared his charity endeavors organizing an annual golf tournament with hockey friends including our Assistant Coaches, Brett Corkey and Kieran.
It has raised $150,000 in only a few seasons of existence. Our GM, a former MJHL goaltender has done a masterful job managing the team and gets full credit for landing our title sponsor United Pacific Projects this season.
The last couple weeks for the U18 AAA Flames had been busy and the team earned a well deserved break after an overtime loss to the Calgary Buffaloes which followed Saturday’s trip to Canmore. As the team forced OT against the streaking SE Buffaloes the tank ran out after a busy weekend. The Flames still took five out of six points in 3 games over four days, clinching a playoff spot with a month of the season left to go.
Our 2025 Hockey Day started in Calgary where the team loaded the bus at Father David Bauer Arena. I joked with the players and threw dress socks at each one of them who hadn’t worn socks or wore white gym socks with their suits. Our Assistant Captain #19 Nicolas Clark was trapped under our bus for a moment after loading the trainers table for Sarah Scott. I reminded him he was welcome to join us on the bus. “Leave me alone, Payner” he said with a sheepish grin.
One of my favorite Coaching lines is, “proper preparation prevents poor performance”. Another is NHL goaltender and former Calgary Flame Mike Smith likes to say, “look good, feel good”. Smitty was always a sharp dressed man on game days.
So when Sportnets Elliotte Friedman spotted our U17 AAA Flames Affiliate defensemen bursting out the doors in his fiery red suit it made me smile. He winked and gave the customary Hockey Night in Canada thumbs up to #6 Taevz Slanisky even while he was on the phone. It was one of many small memories from a day in the Canadian Rockies, and another example of “game recognizing game”.
When I got back to Calgary and watched the show on PVR I got to see some of the work we had put into this point of the season. I also learned the AJHL Canmore Eagles stadium we played at was named after a former NHLer Alex Kaleta, a native of Canmore. He played for the Calgary Stampeders, Regina Vic-Aces, Lethbridge Maple Leafs and Calgary A16 Currie Army before making the Chicago Blackhawks and later the New York Rangers in the NHL.
In his first season he wandered into Sammy Taft’s hat shop in Toronto and saw a fedora he liked. New to the NHL he didn’t have the funds to acquire the hat but the store owner told him if he scored three goals against the Toronto Maple Leafs that night that he should return. Sammy would give Kaleta the hat free of charge that next day. He had scored four goals on that Saturday night. The story is recorded into the Hockey Hall of Fame and is why a three goal performance is referred to as, “the hat trick.”
I had never met Hockey Night analyst Kevin Bieksa, and I was on my toes to get chirped to be honest. He spotted me later in the day and said “you look like you’re on a mission’. Proving your uniform matters on and off the ice.
Truly it must have been the fedora. The former Vancouver Canucks defenceman was well spoken and an absolute gentleman. For me the highlight of the day was watching the young kids being instructed by Bieksa as well as former Calgary Flames Andrew Ferrence, Matt Stajan and Curtis Glencross. All leaders and amazing people on and off the ice. As they say “great pros”.
Alex Kaleta retired in Medicine Hat and would later coach the Medicine Hat Tigers before becoming the Recreation Director and later the Arena manager ironically in a Junior hockey town nicknamed “The Hat”. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2008.
While there were no “hat tricks” for the Flames on Hockey Day, snipers #17 Boris Sigachev and #13 Evan Benoit both potted a pair while #14 Dylan Snelgrove, #25 Roman Maudie and Assistant Captain #15 Caleb Therres all chipped in as well. #31 Nixon Mah was stellar like his counterpart #1 Sergio Davidson had been Thursday night against the same Airdrie CFR Bisons.
Watching the U18 AAA NW Flames players fist pump the kids in the stands while filing off the ice was another truly special memory. That along with Captain #9 Nathan Ivey and Bisons Captain #10 Easton Milne being interviewed by Evanka Osmak on live TV from Coast to Coast.
I had prepared both Captains for the moment at the previous game on Thursday night and the preparation paid off. The only moment I missed all day was #13 Evan Benoit being interviewed by Osmak with the Hockey Night in Canada towel draped over his shoulders. Last season as a U17 AAA player I interviewed Benoit a few times as the player of the game; so it was no surprise he handled the spotlight with grace and professionalism.
As the team exited the hockey festival they were granted their only wish after the win by the coaching staff. To hit the Old Tyme Candy Store on Main Street before heading back to the hotel.
Our NW parents dodged a bullet because as professional players the team likely would have headed to Murietas for a nice bottle of Merlot and a filet mignon overlooking the Three Sisters. Like the U18 AAA United Pacific Projects Flames I was satisfied with candy, Boston Pizza and Hockey Night in Canada on TV back at the hotel, not a lavish NHL team meal.
In our Coaches room we shared a drink and laughed about the day. We met our Coaches girlfriend who commented, “you guys are mean to each other”. Nah that’s just hockey; if we chirp each other it’s out of respect. It’s when a team ignores you that you should be concerned. I know this because I am usually the easiest target in the room even without the hat.
Most importantly all of the NW families enjoyed the day; our players carried themselves with humility and grace. Showcasing the character this great game reveals even on the biggest stage.
Years from now these young hockey players will reflect back to Saturday’s 7-3 win. Most likely won’t even remember the score. No matter where the journey takes us it will always be about “sports and friends”.
Everyone has contributed and that is why I love this team. I am not surprised it is a first place hockey club because they understood the assignment from the first day of training camp and prepared for every moment.
Proper planning kids! It works! So you may as well wear the right socks or even a nice hat for the occasion. Alex Kaleta learned that lesson many winters ago and like Hockey Night in Canada knew that “The Tradition Continues”. 
It was an incredible experience. Thank you!
