Winter Classic comes to Toronto - North Toronto.
The North Toronto Hockey Association hosts a winter classic this Saturday, Jan. 28.
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The winter classic is finally coming to Toronto, and, no, we're not talking about the much-rumoured original six match-up between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings. Even if it gets off the ground, that one won't be until next season.
We're talking the North Toronto Hockey Association's own winter classic, this Saturday, Jan. 28.
"As you know, every Saturday night at NTHA (North Toronto Hockey Association) is 'Hockey Night at NT (North Toronto)'," explained NTHA President Graham Lloyd in a statement on the website.
"It's a great night of hockey where we host our regular house league games in front of a packed arena of parents, grandparents, siblings and friends. There is lots of music, Player of the Game awards and the national anthem.
"In true Canadian and hockey tradition we, too, have decided to take this great event outdoors.
"We are moving our evening of three games outside on the outdoor rink behind the NT (North Toronto) Arena."
Players will get the best of both worlds as they will still be able to dress in the arena dressing rooms and then walk out to the outdoor rink.
He advised spectators to make sure to dress for the weather and to even bring their skates "and skate on the pleasure skating portion of the rink while keeping an eye on the action."
The league will serve up hot chocolate vouchers and visitors are encouraged to check out "the new NTHA Wall of Honour."
The event is weather proof - well almost.
What will happen if Mother Nature doesn't co-operate - although the weather looked good as of our press deadline Tuesday - is the players will simply head back in and play their scheduled games indoors; spectators will still get their free hot chocolate.
Lloyd explained in an interview when he took over as president one of his goals was to introduce an annual event "to celebrate our sponsors and our community."
"This year we'll do this (winter classic), another year I think we'll do an alumni event, open house stuff, just something different to keep people aware of what North Toronto Hockey does."
The planned games include:
- 7 p.m., tyke: Davenport Kitchens vs. Little Party
Shoppe
- 8 p.m., minor novice: Rapid Rockets vs. Torys
Tornadoes
- 9 p.m., Atom: Danny&Scotties Puck Bandits vs.
Grip Limited
- 10 p.m., a special select minor midget exhibition game
For more info, visit the league website at www.nthockey.ca/
- Norm Nelson