Hey, Flames fans. It’s no surprise to see the great things this season from local heroes Jonathan Huberdeau, Dustin Wolf and Ryan Lomberg. Spectacular goals, scintillating saves and true grit and determination.
Sure, all their dedication, training, practice and natural prowess count for a lot, but it’s the juju from guesting at November’s PREP Society’s Let’s Talk Hockey fundraiser that’s really given all three that extra something.
It’s the same phenomena every year. Just ask Connor Zary, Nazem Kadri or MacKenzie Weegar, who have all experienced PREP’s Let’s Talk Hockey magic.
More than just a school and resource centre, the PREP Society is about inspiring families on the journey of inclusion for their child with Down syndrome. That inclusion shines through at Let’s Talk Hockey, PREP’s biggest fundraiser of the year. PREP students, graduates and families play active rolls helping make sure everything, including trading card games, fun-skills competitions, raffles and an auction run smoothly, and everyone has a good time.
As always, the best part of Let’s Talk Hockey is the hockey talk and getting to know the players firsthand. Former NHLer and Calgary Flames general manager Craig Conroy and Calgary sports community builder Rob Kerr, who volunteer their time every year for the event, acted as hosts and interviewers. They asked the “insider” questions to find what makes the players tick and about life in the world’s best hockey league.
The players also answered questions from the guests, signed autographs, and posed for pictures and selfies.
“Many of our students are huge Flames fans,” says PREP executive director Curtis Slater. “It’s always a highlight of the year for them when they not only get to see some Flames players live, but actually meet them and ask them questions in front of a room of 250 people.” Slater adds that this is a terrific way for students to practice their public speaking skills and build their self-confidence, all while meeting some of their favourite players. “This is truly a night that many of our students will remember for the rest of their lives,” says Slater.
It was certainly a night to remember for 14-year-old Mark Wilkins, a grade 9 student at Springbank High School and PREP graduate. Mark was invited to volunteer at this year’s Let’s Talk Hockey, greeting guests at the door and selling hockey cards. He also got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do a mini-interview with Ryan Lomberg. “I am a huge fan of Ryan’s,” says Mark. “He is my favourite Flame. He is really good at hockey, and I like how he sings ‘O Canada’ before each hockey game. He also likes Post Malone just like me.”
“Let’s Talk Hockey wouldn’t happen without the support of the Flames organization and our generous donors like the event’s Platinum Sponsor – Woodridge Ford,” says Slater. “Every dollar raised goes directly towards providing children with Down syndrome with the educational and therapeutic support they need to live full and active lives in their communities.”
So while Dustin, Jonathan and Ryan continue to strut their stuff for our Calgary Flames, that extra lift from Let’s Talk Hockey will be with them all season long.
