PHOTO – The Canmore Eagles held an outdoor practice in Sherwood Park on Thursday afternoon as the club stopped in to enjoy the backyard rink of former Eagle player Patrick Steel.
With the Alberta Winter Games taking over the Canmore Arenas this weekend, the Canmore Eagles are on the road and will play three key Alberta Junior Hockey League games in a span of just two and half days.
The Eagles (29-18-3) will play the Pontiacs (20-25-6) in Bonnyville on Friday (Feb. 7), the Bobcats (25-23-4) in Lloydminster on Saturday (Feb. 8) and will wrap up the weekend with a Sunday afternoon (Feb. 9) game in Camrose against the Kodiaks (23-18-10).
Faced with a seven hour bus ride to get to their weekend hotel in Lloydminster, the Eagles took the opportunity to break up their travel as they stopped in at the home of former player Patrick Steel to get some fresh air and enjoy an excellent practice on the Steel’s outdoor backyard rink.
“We had about an hour and a half practice at the Steel’s rink and the boys just loved it,” said Eagle’s Head Coach and General Manager Andrew Milne. “We’ve been meaning to do this for the last few years on one of our northern road trips, but either the weather or road conditions just didn’t allow for it. Seven hours on a bus is too long, so to be able to get out and practice in the outdoors was a great opportunity for everyone. Stopping in at the Steel’s house for a visit meant a lot to our players and we can’t thank the Steel family enough for this opportunity. It will be something that every player will remember for the rest of their lives. Pat’s spirit was everywhere.”
