Snow? What snow? Victoria's Hockey Day in Canada occasions sold-out regardless of climate

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Thursday morning started with former 16-season NHLer, ­Stanley Cup-champion and Island-resident Andrew Ference leaping in to assist former NHL nice Wendel Clark sweep the snow off the $100,000 synthetic-ice rink at Ship Level so younger gamers might skate on it by means of the day.

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Climate be damned. Victorians, famously averse to snow, have discovered a approach by means of probably the most surprising of situations for the 2024 Hockey Day in Canada week. All occasions have bought out. That features the Legends of Broadcasting Sizzling Range on Tuesday evening, the 800-plus gala on Thursday evening on the Victoria Convention Centre, tonight’s NHL alumni and celeb sport and Saturday’s WHL sport between the Victoria Royals and Kamloops Blazers, each at Save-on-Meals Memorial Centre.

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Additionally bought out and packed, regardless of the inclement climate, was the taping for this week’s 32 Ideas Podcast on Thursday afternoon at Wicket Corridor within the Strathcona Lodge.

“This crowd blows me away. I’m shocked,” mentioned Elliotte Friedman, co-host of the 32 Ideas Podcast with Jeff Marek.

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“We don’t take this as a right and are very flattered.”

What adopted was a full of life debate on all features of hockey.

In regards to the potential of the Vancouver Canucks buying Jake Guentzel, Friedman mentioned: “The Canucks suppose they will win. If I’m Vancouver, I’d be going for all of it this yr.”

Former Canucks GM Brian Burke, a visitor on the podcast, was slightly extra circumspect: “The perfect likelihood this yr is for Vancouver. There isn’t a depth now on rosters and each workforce is one harm away from catastrophe … one harm away from [the Stanley Cup] being a pipe dream. For the Canucks, that may be Thatcher Demko or Petey [Elias Pettersson] happening.”

Former Canucks ­defenceman and rising broadcaster Kevin Bieksa introduced the home down in Wicket Corridor with a few of his humorous tales and ­observations about hockey. Now a hockey dad and coach in California, Bieksa quipped: “There are horror tales about dads teaching their youngsters, and they’re normally true, except you might be an unbelievable coach like myself.”

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Requested the urgent query of the day, now as an expert broadcaster, does he cheer for the Canucks?

“I root for pals and other people I do know [who are playing in the NHL],” answered the personable former Canuck, who earlier within the day with Friedman, toured HMCS Ottawa at CFB Esquimalt.

Pressed additional, Bieksa mentioned: “Sure, I cheer for the Canucks.”

The Stanley Cup made an look at Wicket Corridor after an earlier look Thursday on the Songhees Wellness Centre. Burke, GM of the 2007 winners Anaheim Geese, was the one 32 Ideas panellist allowed to the touch it by custom (non-winners should not allowed to put a hand on the Cup).

“Possibly Bieksa can take the Cup again from right here. Oh wait, I forgot he can’t contact it,” mentioned Burke, because the room erupted in laughter.

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Bieksa will be part of the total Hockey Night time in Canada panel — together with Friedman, Ron MacLean, Evanka Osmak, David Amber, Jennifer Botterill, Kelly Hrudey atop Milestones Restaurant with its sweeping views of the Interior Harbour — for the 12.5-hour marathon Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada broadcast Saturday that includes all seven Canadian NHL groups in motion. Interspersed will likely be options on Island hockey. The published will start with famous Victoria-produced singer Nelly Furtado reflecting on her hometown.

The ultimate panellist for the 32 Ideas Podcast on Thursday was Victoria Royals head coach James Patrick, who drew raves from Friedman and Marek for the Royals’ turnaround this season within the WHL after, as Marek described it: “Wandering within the desert [the past three seasons] and never precisely lighting the league on hearth.”

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To his credit score, Patrick did acknowledge: “I’ve solely been right here two months [since replacing Dan Price, who left him with a winning record].”

Bringing all these NHL alumni and broadcasters right here hasn’t been straightforward as a result of continent-wide winter climate situations. “We had folks stranded in every single place — in Toronto, Buffalo, Calgary — making an attempt to get right here with so many flight points,” mentioned Heidi Barlow-Lee, director of operations for Victoria’s Hockey Day in Canada.

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