Local Team to be Featured on CBC Hockey Day In Canada

Cambridge - Hockey Day in Canada is coming to an arena near you as the Cambridge Ice Hounds Special Hockey Team will play home to the world-renowned Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Hockey Day in Canada program. The Ice Hounds won the honour to be the feature team for the annual broadcast, airing on CBC Sports on Saturday February 9, 2008.

Chosen by CBC Sports because of their strong character, dedication and uniqueness, the Ice Hounds segment will look into how hockey has changed the lives of the local children involved on the team.

“We have been given significant support from the local media here in Cambridge including the team at Dave FM,” says Peter Charters, a member of the Ice Hounds Organizing Committee.

The Cambridge Ice Hounds program began in September of 2006 and has grown to over 35 participants, making Cambridge the centre of one of the most successful Special Hockey Programs in the province. The purpose is to provide an amateur athletic sports program to persons with developmental disabilities. It’s open to players of any age and gender who wish to participate, but who are ineligible or not able to play in an existing organized program due to his or her disability.

“The Ice Hounds currently play or practice weekly on Saturdays at the Galt Arena Gardens,” says Cambridge Councilor Ben Tucci. “This event also puts Cambridge on the national radar showcasing to the rest of the country that we are a hockey city and we support our Special Hockey program.”

For the past seven years CBC and specially chosen host communities have been celebrating the great game of hockey by setting aside a special day to honor and watch the sport. This day has been celebrated as an unofficial holiday for some Canadian hockey fans and Cambridge players are both excited and thrilled to be a part of the action.

Commenting on the impact that the Ice Hounds program has on the participants, Cambridge Councilor Karl Kiefer says, “This very special program has not only given these kids a chance to skate and play, but a chance to build relationships, develop new skills and above all, a chance have fun and belong to a team.”