A group of volunteers at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge meet prior to a tournament game Tuesday afternoon at the Canalta Centre - Photo by Colton McKee.

By Charles Lefebvre

World U-17 Hockey Challenge

Volunteers integral to World U-17 Hockey Challenge

Nov 5, 2019 | 5:06 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Fans in Medicine Hat have been treated to world-class action on the ice as part of the World U-17 Hockey Challenge.

But, behind the scenes, a small army of volunteers at the Canalta Centre helps make sure the event runs smoothly.

Approximately 200 volunteers are involved with the tournament this week, performing duties off the ice. Many of them are wearing blue jackets, and can be seen selling 50/50 tickets, working as ushers, and helping coordinate different elements of the presentation.

“It is very heartwarming to see the people of Medicine Hat embrace this so fully,” said Tammy Sweeney with the Medicine Hat Sport and Event Council. “From a volunteer perspective, it puts us in good stead to have other events down the road, because we know that we’re going to be coming back to these volunteers, so it’s important that we treat them well and they have a really great experience.”

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Among the 200 volunteers at the Canalta Centre is Kevin Friesen. He can be seen in the penalty box during games, working as a scorekeeper, a role he also does with the Medicine Hat Tigers.

He says being at ice level during the games gives you a different perspective on the games and the players.

“Obviously, when the kids come into the penalty box, you get to know them a little bit too,” he said. “You have a little bit of a brief conversation with them, ask them where they’re from, their background a little bit, and hockey. It’s nice to be able to see and meet some of these players.”

Jack Ward is a volunteer that has direct contact with the players. He is one of the hosts for Team Czech Republic, and his job is to make sure the team is taken care of all week, both before and after games.

“(It involves) introducing them to the community, and the things we enjoy here, besides hockey,” he said. “Hockey is their main goal, that’s the main charge right here, and that’s where it’s all happening. But there’s the other off time that we want to make an enjoyable experience.”

Ward and Friesen both say it’s an honour to be able to volunteer at the tournament.

“Everybody’s in a good mood, everybody’s really proactive with the whole thing and supporting each other, it’s just an awesome place to be right now,” said Ward.

“I’ve done a lot of it in Little League baseball in the past and i think it’s very rewarding. a tournament like this i think is first class, and it’s nice to be just a very, very small part of it,” said Friesen.

If another major event like the World U-17 Hockey Challenge returns to Medicine Hat, expect Friesen and Ward to be among the first to sign up.

“Medicine Hat is, I think, one of the best tournament hosting cities, anywhere, at least in Western Canada,” Friesen said.

“It’s just fantastic working with – I think there’s at least 200 plus volunteers all the way through this thing, and it’s a machine, a well-oiled machine,” said Ward.