It’s year number six for the Tommy Gun’s Outdoor Winter Classic in Red Deer’s Bower neighbourhood and one thing organizers have learned is you can’t count on Mother Nature being on board.
“Last year we had the worst temperatures you could imagine,” said Al Sim, the man behind the classic since day one. “Friday we had plus 12 and Saturday at plus 12 and every year the weather has been an issue. But if we can get through last year we know we can get through any year.”
Other lessons learned over the years include having plenty of tarps available to keep the ice looking more like ice instead of slush and not playing games during the afternoon, instead playing them late at night.
Another effect of the warm weather is the face off dots, blue lines, goal lines and the centre red line get obliterated in a short period of time.
“Each year we’ve limited the lines on the ice. This year we have a one inch blue line and no centre ice line. There’s no goal lines, there’s no face off dots. We’re kind of just taking it to the basics,” he said.
Basic is really what this annual event is all about as most of the players who are facing their last year of organized hockey hit the ice this coming weekend. The classic provides many memories for these players and it’s also increased the number of Midget B hockey teams in Red Deer from three to four, said Sim.
“Because of the success of the tournament and everyone wanting to play in it, that’s the one goal I had was to encourage kids to stay in minor hockey and not skip their midget hockey years when they’re playing at this level.”
The rinks are going up, complete with benches and dressing rooms. The old school outdoor hockey environment is alive and well as there is no plexiglass surrounding the rinks. Instead, fans can safely watch through the chicken wire around each end or brave a wayward puck or stick in the head by standing near the boards along the sides.
Four Red Deer teams will battle with squads from Foremost, south of Bow Island, Spruce Grove, Calgary Southwest and Kneehill. Sim said 42 teams had submitted requests to be a part of this event which underlines how popular this has become over the years.
“I didn’t think we would get to where we own all our infrastructure,” said Sim. “ We own our dressing rooms, penalty boxes, and player’s boxes. We have heaters for all our dressing rooms. I didn’t think we’d get to that point.”
Sim had plenty of help to reach this level as he tapped into the generosity of friends in the oil patch, other area businesses’, and the City of Red Deer. This year, with the tough economic times facing many Albertans a few businesses have dropped out which was understandable, said Sim.
“They’ve been ones that have been there for us for the first five years and they need to take a year off this year but we have five other guys jumping on board and it’s incredible. They see the value in it. They see where the money goes and they see the looks in the kid’s eyes. They see the festival we put on and they’re just eager and thrilled to donate to this cause.”
The whole weekend is filled with hockey, getting together with friends, music and food. It’s embraced by the city in general but the community of Bower in particular. Sim says they’ve had one neighbourhood complaint over the five years regarding noise. Bower residents are part of the celebration he said and organizers make sure free food coupons are handed out to many surrounding homes so people can grab a burger, hot dog or a hot chocolate while taking in a game.
A highlight for the players is being able to keep the jersey they wear during the tournament. Over the years the uniforms have included those from the original six NHL franchises to former WHA teams and defunct pro squads. This year the players will take a trip back to the 1987/88 NHL season. They will don the Stars and Stripes of the Washington Capitals, the Black and Gold Pittsburgh Penguins from the Mario Lemieux days, the Buffalo Sabres Blue and Gold as well as the hybrid Vancouver Canucks uniform with the black and yellow which featured a skate on the front.
“The novice kids will take part in the Canada Cup game again with the old CCCP Russian jerseys and Team Canada,” he said.
No matter what Mother Nature brings that weekend, the tourney will take place and you can bet the memories for the players will be just as strong as they have been in the previous five years.
“The goal is to give that 17 year old something who has spent his whole time in Red Deer Minor Hockey or out of town minor hockey. My goal is seeing these guys when I’m 60 in a bar somewhere and they’re talking about this that they went to in Red Deer and saying how cool it was.”
Well, maybe cool enough temperature wise to keep the ice solid.
