By Darren Bayrack /
Although lacing on his skates is a common task for Novice hockey player Ethan Phillips, he couldn’t hide his excitement while gearing up for the pre-game skate of his life recently.
The eight-year-old Midnapore Junior Hitmen player borrowed the locker stall of Western Hockey League star Brandon Kozun as he prepared to hit the Pengrowth Saddledome ice with the Calgary Flames.
Phillips had skated at the ‘Dome a couple of times before, but never with his favourite Flames, Dion Phaneuf and Rene Bourque.
The young player admires the Flames defenceman for his big hits and powerful shot, while Bourque’s speed and goal scoring impress him as well.
Known as “E-Dog” to his teammates, Phillips won his opportunity to be the Scotiabank Skater during the pre-game skate at the Calgary Flames game Dec. 31 against their provincial rivals the Edmonton Oilers. Minor hockey and ringette players can enter by clipping a ballot from the Calgary Herald and dropping it off at participating Scotiabank branches or at the newspaper’s office. (This year’s contest closed Jan. 12, 2010.)
“We were totally surprised when we got the call,” explained proud parent Mandie Phillips. “We are absolutely thrilled for him. He’s a fairly confident little boy, so I think he will do okay.”
Phillips was unruffled as he jumped onto the ice and smoothly skated warm up with the Flames.
At one point, Olli Jokinen leaned over and asked him “where did you learn to skate like that?”
Phillips strong skating can be traced to his winter minor hockey training and spending the spring season with Mike Evans’ CorePower Elite AAA program. His parents even constructed a mini ‚Äòarena’ in their basement with regulation boards and glass where Phillips took more than 7,000 shots last year to improve his game.
The Scotiabank Skater program started in 2007 and during every regular-season Calgary Flames home game, one youngster joins the team for the pre-game skate and lines up for the national anthem(s) with the team.
“The Flames organization shares our commitment to the finding interesting ways to engage fans and celebrate the game they love so much,” said Deborah Spence, public affairs manager with the bank. “As Canada’s hockey bank and a proud sponsor of the Flames, Scotiabank is happy to give local kids the opportunity to share the ice with their hockey heroes.”
The Scotiabank Skater receives a red Flames jersey and three tickets to the home game they’re skating at.
The Flames didn’t let Phillips down with their effort on New Year’s Eve by delivering a 2-1 win over the Oilers. Bourque even chipped in an assist on a goal by Craig Conroy to open the scoring in the second period.
All in all, a night to remember for young Ethan Phillips and his family. |