Winterhawks fly across the airwaves
By Chris Simon

Photo by Chris Simon Members of the Innisfil Winterhawks Minor PeeWee A team were recently featured on Hockey Night In Canada, during a pre-game show called Scotiabank Hockey Tonight. Eighteen other Canadian teams were also featured.

At the start of the season, most Innisfil Winterhawks probably never thought they'd be known across Canada.

But earlier this year, parents of the Winterhawks Minor PeeWee A team signed the kids up to be featured on CBC's Hockey Night In Canada pre-game show, entitled Scotiabank Hockey Tonight. On April 12, the team was featured for millions of viewers across Canada, capping off a successful season.

"We had a great team this year," said Winterhawks parent Tracey Spragg. "Bradford ended up winning the York-Simcoe (championship), they beat us in the OMHA final round, but it's a great development zone in Innisfil."

The Winterhawks were among 19 teams selected for the pre-game show, out of about 150 applicants.

"Every kid on this team has gone through adversity," said Spragg. "My son plays to meet new friends, and its carried through. All these kids are from five or six different schools in Innisfil, and hockey has brought them together."

To commemorate the experience, Scotiabank's Alcona branch staff presented the Winterhawks with posters and hockey pucks during a reception last week. Team members were also treated to pizza and soft drinks, and were able to watch a video of the pregame show.

A poster will also be displayed at the Alcona Scotiabank, to showcase the team within the community, said branch manager Graham Barber.

"Scotiabank wants to ensure the kids on the Winterhawks have a lasting memento of their achievement. (The Winterhawks were featured) during the second game of the Boston/Montreal playoff series," he said. "Hockey Tonight and our poster, we're able to profile the pivotal role minor hockey plays in Innisfil and communities right across Canada."

Parents, coaches, team managers and children were invited to submit a team and explain why it deserved to introducing an NHL game on television since October. Teams entered online at www.cbcsports.ca.

Barber was glad the team was selected.

"This is an initiative taking place all across Canada, so it's pretty cool they came to our corner of the world," he said.