The British Columbia Hockey League's Alberni Valley Bulldogs are preparing to face off for child literacy in the team's First Annual Raise-A-Reader Road Hockey Challenge at 5:30 PM on Wednesday evening at the Alberni Valley Multiplex.
Wednesday's game will pit squads of Bulldog players and community members (called 'Team Write' and 'Team Read') against one another in an effort to jumpstart fundraising for this season's literacy awareness campaign. Proceeds from admission to the the game and the BBQ that follows will benefit Raise-A-Reader.
“As a team we're always talking about how important it is to be involved in the community and our guys know that they really make a positive impact,” says Bulldogs head coach Paul Esdale. “They love being a part of these kind of events and I hope our fans come out and enjoy it as well.”
Team Write features Bulldogs veterans Josh Mitchell, Brody Lynott and Josh Mitchell, as well as Esdale, teaming up with a group of community teammates that includes Mayor Ken McRae. Team Read sees captain Trent Dorais and returning Dawgs Sam Mitchell and Ryan Renz and other team members join forces with members of School District 70, the Alberni Valley Times and North Island College.
Bulldogs play-by-play voice Evan Hammond will provide a call of the game while fellow 93.3 The Peak announcer David Wiwchar will emcee the event. The three 15-minute period game includes a rule stipulation that the BCHL players set-up their community teammates rather than shooting for goal themselves.
“The community spirit is amazing in Port Alberni and we make it a top priority to make giving back a focus of our program,” says Esdale, whose players split duty between the local Terry Fox Run and a Female Hockey Festival last weekend.
As for a scouting report on what to expect from the first-year head coach once the puck drops, Esdale is up-front about his gameplan: “I'll be cruising in and out of the slot looking for scoring chances and battling for loose puck,” he says.
