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Bond between LaSalle Sabres 98s and Windsor Spitfires grows stronger
TORONTO, Ontario (February 1, 2011) – The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) and its corporate partner Old Dutch Foods are pleased to announce the LaSalle Sabres 98s from LaSalle, Ontario, have won the CHL Hockey Day contest for the 2010/2011 hockey season.
On Monday, February 7, the LaSalle Sabres 98s will receive a “skills and drills” instructional session at the WFCU Centre, home to the CHL’s Windsor Spitfires – winners of the 2009 and 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup – as well as a back-of-house arena tour, lunch and photos with the Spitfires, and special jerseys and medals for each participant. The LaSalle Sabres 98s will also attend a game as VIP guests of Spitfires. Rogers Sportsnet will be on hand to film segments of the “skills and drills” and CHL game, all of which will be featured at a later date on Rogers Sportsnet’s Connected.
"Every kid has a dream. LaSalle Sabres 98s have 17 dreams, probably all different but with a common thread: hockey,” says Kathy Kaufman, the parent who entered her child’s team in the CHL Hockey Day contest. “Spending a day with the Windsor Spitfires will provide the glue to bond this team of 12-year olds, and create a life-long memory for each one of them. We’re so grateful to the fine folks at Old Dutch Foods, the CHL and the Windsor Spitfires for making this dream of a lifetime come true.”
The LaSalle Sabres 98s have a special connection to the Spitfires. After the sudden death of Spitfires’ captain, Mickey Renaud, in February 2008, the LaSalle Sabres 98s decided to honour Mickey’s memory by featuring a #18 – Mickey’s jersey number – on the back of their practice jerseys for as long as the 98s exist. Mickey was well known to the LaSalle Sabres 98s through his participation in the Spitfire Adopt a School Program, and was always keen to offer inspiration and motivation to the young players.
“We couldn’t be more pleased to partner with the CHL in making dreams a reality for these future hockey stars,” says Scott Kelemen, National Director of Marketing for Old Dutch Foods. “It’s an honour for us to be able to recognize and reward these young players for all their hard work in a way that promotes fun, learning, and perseverance.”
