By Chantel Downes, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeland This Week
Fans arrived with unwrapped toys and cash donations for Santa’s Anonymous, turning the game into a community-wide effort to support families in need during the holiday season.
Cold Lake Ice Jr. B president Dale Laursen said the team’s connection with the community is at the heart of nights like this.
“It’s great because it takes a community to run the team and it takes their sponsorship to help us run the team.”
He said the team views charity nights not just as events, but as part of their responsibility.
“It means giving back by providing something in the community for other charities . . . to try and help them out.”
Laursen highlighted that hockey in Cold Lake is about community as much as it is about competition, bringing families and friends together, and that a full arena adds extra energy for the team.
Fans filled the stands for a night that Laursen described as family friendly.
“To come and watch good hockey and have a good time – it’s a family affair.”
The team supports local charities year-round, alternating between the food bank and Santa’s Anonymous before and after Christmas.
Laursen said contributions help ease the pressure many families feel at this time of year.
“I think it’s humongous. It helps them out and takes some of that pressure off.”
He also sees these events as important teaching moments for young hockey players.
“I think it’s a building step for our kids that are playing hockey to see how we are going to help our community out.”
The Ice roster includes players from Cold Lake, Fort McMurray, Pierceland, Meadow Lake, Goodsoil, and Bonnyville, which Laursen says strengthens community and brings everyone joy.
Saturday’s game also followed a recent night honouring first responders and military members.
“That was our first responder, military first responder night,” he said.
Laursen hopes to see more people come out and support both the team and the community.
By the end of the night, alongside toy donations, a total of $285 was collected in cash for Santa’s Anonymous, according to the Cold Lake Junior B Ice Hockey.
The Cold Lake Ice is currently sitting in fourth place in the North Eastern Alberta Jr. B Hockey League. The team beat the Wheat Kings on Saturday night, 4-3 in a shootout.
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