You may hear the chant in the rink this Saturday night but you still won’t know what team people are cheering for. It’s a true clash of the Titans as former TRHS players lace up their skates, don their shin guards, and dust-off their helmets to compete in the eighth annual Titan alumni hockey game.
The event is designed as a fundraiser for current and future TRHS boy’s hockey teams but it always turns out to be much more than that. Long-time friends and former teammates unite to rekindle the fire they once had back in the glory days of high school. For some participants like, Justin Richard and Nathan LeBlanc, it hasn’t been that long since they last played for the Titans. In fact, they can likely still remember their last goal scored in a Titans’ uniform. On the other hand, for participants such as Dean Acton and Mark Hubert, a lot has happened since they last lit the lamp at the old Allison Gardens as a member of the Tantramar Titans hockey squad.
The friendly match up of Titans vs. Titans gives former players the opportunity to ‘live the dream’, relive ‘the moment’ and to showcase their talents in front of friends, family and hockey fans from the Tantramar community. It also provides the local hockey fanatic an evening out, a fun game to watch and an opportunity to support your local high school team.
The alumni game is a great experience for all players, coaches, friends, family members and fans. Besides the fun and excitement it brings to the Tantramar Veterans Memorial Civic Centre (TVMCC), the evening also helps support the current high school hockey program.
This year’s match-up is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 9 at 8:30 p.m. Preceding and throughout the game portion, there will be a silent auction with many items on display and up for grabs in the mezzanine area of the TVMCC. Following the game, the silence will quickly turn into cheers and jeers as the game’s participants and spectators come together for the live auction portion of the night’s festivities. The crowd will have an opportunity to out-bid their one-time rival or pesky neighbor to hopefully walk away with such things as a Carey Price jersey, signed photo from Hayley Wickenheiser (2010 Olympic Gold Moment), gym membership, golf green fees or even a load of top soil (you might want to bring the family station wagon). All auction items need to be paid for by cash or cheque. There will be something for everyone; hockey memorabilia, clothing, baked goods and much more to be auctioned off throughout the evening.
