KINISTINO — Kinistino is hosting a celebration of Saskatchewan hockey.
The community of 671 is hosting Hockey Day in Saskatchewan this year on Saturday, Jan. 20. The main theme of the day is to promote the game of hockey, build community spirit by making the arena the focal point of activity, and celebrate the many volunteers who assist in keeping local hockey active in their community.
It will also help raise money for capital improvements to the Kinistino Sports Complex, which was built in the early 1970s.
The celebration will be held over a week and starts Tuesday, Jan. 16, with an autograph session with the Western Hockey League's Prince Albert Raiders at the Kinistino Sports Complex.
Games for the first part of the week, at the Kinistino Sports Complex, are:
- Tuesday Jan. 16 – U18 Female AA Northeast Aces vs. Prince Albert Foxes with local player from Kinistino Rebecca Porter.
- Wednesday, Jan. 17 – Carrot River Outback Thunder vs. Prince Albert Junior B Timberjacks. Kinistino local Aidan Hanson and Birch Hills local Keegan Dansereau play for the Prince Albert team.
- Thursday, Jan. 18 - Under 18 Tigers vs. Carrot River Loggers. currently the Kinistino U18 team is in the top of the North East Minor Hockey League with 10 wins and one tie, totalling 21 points.
On Friday, Jan. 19, there will be a banquet, with the guest speaker being sports analyst and TSN broadcaster Jay Onrait.
Banquet tickets includes a cabaret with featuring Kings and Renegades out of Melfort. No minors are allowed for banquet. For people coming from Melfort, a shuttle will be supplied starting at 5 p.m. Pick up and drop off location will be at the Northern Lights Palace West parking lot.
Tickets are still available but are being sold on a first come, first serve basis and space is limited for the Friday night banquet. Tickets are available at Modern Flair and Assaly Diamond and Fine Jewellery Boutique in Melfort or at the Kinistino Co-op store or by email at kinistinohockeyday@gmail.com.
Kurt Margolis, one of the community organizer, said the big hockey games on Saturday start at 1 p.m. with the U18 AAA female Prince Albert Bears take on the Regina Rebels at 1 p.m. and at 4 p.m. the Under 18 Triple AAA male Prince Albert Mintos against the Battleford Stars.
The evening ends with the Junior A La Ronge Ice Wolves vs the Nipawin Hawks. There is a full schedule of games on Sunday as well. Click here for the complete week schedule.
There is a full schedule of games and a Kinistino Skating Club Showcase on Sunday as well.
The schedule for the week can be found on the Hockey Day website.
Joseph Laprairie, Manager, Marketing and Communications for Hockey Saskatchewan said the first Hockey Day in Saskatchewan was in 2008 and hosted in Unity. Kinistino marks the 16th edition of Hockey Day in Saskatchewan. The day was held in Martensville last season and raised $72,500 for its new rink facility. Since 2008, 15 events held have raised over $1.3 million to help local community rinks.
Laprairie said that Hockey Day is rotated around the province. The only requirement is that the community must indicate an improvement project or a new project. Hockey Saskatchewan provides a hosting grant to the community and helps organize a banquet.
