“That team is really connected.”
Words come and go in hockey vernacular, it’s about as common and as quick as a line change, but over the last few days the word “connected” has taken on an entirely different meaning in the Hub City.
I realize that this is what Rogers Sportsnet does and what Hockey Day in Canada is all about, but this goes well beyond all of that. When I first reached out to ask for media access to all the events a wave of anxiousness hit. The uncertainty on what to report on, when to report on it, and “who the hell would want to read my stuff” during an event like this hit pretty hard.
I guess it goes back to what sports reporter Dickie Dunn of Slap Shot fame tried to do every time out, “I’m just trying to capture the spirit of the thing.”
I haven’t formally interviewed anyone yet, but I’ve seen first hand how hard the organizing committee and the entire Sportsnet crew have worked behind the scenes to make it all happen. That’s what so many people don’t see and it’s those stories that I would love to write after the fact and you want to know something there’s probably a best selling book behind something like that.
One hockey lifer perhaps said it best last night minutes before the Alumni Game. “Moncton is an event city, and this is an event, just look at this crowd, it’s awesome.”
Five thousand people turned out and were certainly entertained.
I know it might sound as cliche as throwing hockey terms around, but events like this are all about people and their ability to connect with others.
You could feel a nervous energy around the draft on Wednesday night, everyone was a little on edge because they didn’t know what to expect but any sense of nervousness turned into excitement when Marty Kingston grabbed the mic, took to the stage to introduce broadcasting icon Ron MacLean. MacLean’s gift is often studied emulated, but never duplicated. Ron MacLean’s super power is connectivity and we are always in awe of his ability to not only tell the story but showcase the people within it.
I couldn’t go to any the school visits, but the pictures said it all and most of the photos you are no doubt seeing are all coming from “Mark the photographer” who has captured so many incredible moments over the last few days.
No one person could ever dare try to name all the people that are making all of this happen, from all the drivers to the crew, to all the sponsors it’s truly amazing just how “connected” everyone has been to pull off an event like this!
Behind all of the smiles and laughter at every event there have been moments and memories, and you know what they have happened in front of the camera and long after the bright lights have been shut off, because of the people that have been chosen to represent the event.
Everyone from Elliotte Friedman to Kevin Bieksa have raved about Moncton and our community and the people that call it home.
Everyone and everything is different down east or in the Maritimes, but I think those that call it home often forget or take it for granted just how special it is to live here sometimes.
You could tell as soon as Sportsnet started rolling features out on social media yesterday the buzz around the event increased exponentially. Everyone wants a piece of it, or experience a moment with the celebrities, and every single one of the NHL alumni and special guests have been simply amazing and so giving of their time.
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The stories being told and shared in the peripheral or at the bar at the end of the night only adds to the memories and legacy of an event like this.
“I’ve been getting calls and text messages for the last four days from friends all around Canada saying what the heck is going on in Moncton,” said a proud Monctonian and longtime event organizer last night.
“What a showcase it’s been so far and Moncton is looking great,” they added.
You see it’s hard to capture “the spirit of the thing” and put into words what this means for our city and the impact and legacy that an event like this will have.
Sportsnet does this every year, it’s what they do, it’s who they are, which is truly remarkable when you think about it. Long after the staging and bright lights are gone, life will go back to “normal” in our hometown, but the memories and stories shared will have a life of their own.
The City of Moncton and our region for now is the Hub of the Hockey in Canada which is great to see. What makes Hockey Day in Canada so special, the people and their stories and I can’t wait to see Rogers Sportsnet and their entire crew weave their magic.
FDS Sports Blog 