3rd Annual Eagle River Outdoor Rink Skate with The Dryden GM Ice Dogs

As Submitted by Connie Calvert

“We were thrilled to welcome the SIJHL Ice Dogs for their third annual visit to our outdoor Eagle River rink! Some of these guys haven’t ever experienced an outdoor rink. Fire Chief Todd Montgomery and staff escorted the team from the Eagle Junction. Jake Gushue (Head Coach) and Ben Hackl (Assistant Coach) accompanied the team. They are all so polite and obliging, we look forward to their annual visit!
Hosting this event takes a village and once again, our volunteers stepped up. I am so proud and appreciative of each and every one of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Without the countless volunteer hours Jeff Palker dedicated to preparing the ice, this would not have happened. 

Ammie Kroeker loaned her fire pit, Lindsey Peeters delivered bales of hay, Mike & Lisa Durocher delivered wood, our photo booth and spent the evening including and entertaining attendees. Mike and Dale Bartlett made sure the fire was manned safely for the evening. The Ice Dogs like to share stories by the fire.  Dana Leonzio captured priceless pictures (which, if not in this article I have posted on my FBook page). Libby Bartlett-Hermanson contributed captured shots of the evening.  Dean Leonzio took over ‘time on the ice’ duty as Jesse fell ill. Kathy Bartlett prepared delicious cinnamon buns which were consumed with great enthusiasm, Carm Hampe coordinated Eagle River Jerseys and help wherever required, Bob Hampe delivered wood planks for the fire pit area as he was also too ill to attend the event.
Bonnie Leutschaft and Connie Korzinski bought & prepared food (and Bonnie donated homemade buns to go with the chilli) as well as running the canteen.
Public Works made sure we could see the Ice Dogs jersey which adorns our ‘jersey wall’ and the parking lot was plowed. Gord Griffiths welcomed their visit and shared his past hockey experience.
We also must thank the businesses who made donations to the event. THANK YOU Temple Bay Lodge for the generous meal certificate and clothing; Terry Vezina our local Blacksmith for hockey stick pendants and a fire poker; Vermilion Bay Coop for hamburger meat and Canada Safeway for hot dog buns. Your generosity is so valued!
It takes many hands to make it all come together and no one goes unnoticed or acknowledged.”