The Dressing Room

Harold won tickets in a silent auction to meet the Abbotsford Heat head coach, Jim Playfair, complete with a behind the scenes tour of the Heat dressing room.  Being the amazingly kind father-in-law that he is, he invited us to join him and we were thrilled.  We learned a lot about a typical game day for the players on the team, explored their dressing room and work out space and even tried on some equipment.  While saying our thank you's, Jim offered to take Ethan's jersey and have it signed by the players on the team.  He returned it to Harold at the game that night, full of signatures.  Ethan just kept smiling! :)

Abbotsford Heat Family Day

We had so much fun skating at the new Abbotsford Entertainment Centre on the Abbotsford Heat Family day. Not only did we get to skate on the ice that the Abbotsford Heat play on, but we also got to meet some of the players and skate with them. We even got to skate with Hawkey the teams mascot. Ethan enjoyed it so much we stayed and skated for three hours. I was exhausted, but he wanted to stay and skate some more.

Ethan at centre ice, right were the Heat face-off.

On the players bench,

and in the penalty box.

Skating with Hawkey, the Heat's team mascot.

Ethan with Cam Cunning, #8 (LW); Carson Germyn, #18 (RW),

Matt Keetley, #36 (G);

David Shantz, #1 (G);

Ryley Grantham, #16 (LW);

Mikael Backlund, #11 (C);

John Negrin, #4 (D);

and Keith Seabrook, #2 (D).

Then to top off the day we were given free drinks and popcorn and the lovely clown below made Ethan an amazing balloon spider. Pretty much the perfect day for our hockey fan!

More Heat Fun

We took a school bus to this game, that picked up fans on Sumas Way. Ethan loved this (it was his first time on a school bus). We met grandpa at the game (thanks for the tickets). The Heat played the Milwaukee Admirals (the Nashville Predators affiliate) and we won 2 -1. Go HEAT! We got to the game early and took in the pre-game skate. Ethan collected two pucks that the team shot over the glass and during the game Ethan got to dance with Hawkey, the teams mascot.

On the way to the game in an Abbotsford School bus.

The pre-game skate.

Collecting team pucks that were shot over the glass (a definite highlight).

Meeting Hawkey (another highlight)! See the Heat "finger" on Ethan's hand...what we won't do to keep tired kids happy and entertained!

Helping Hawkey cheer and dance for the team.

A Heat Fan

We are very excited about our new AHL hockey team the Abbotsford Heat. Unfortunatly, they are affiliated with the Calgary Flames, but we can get past that. We love that we can go watch great hockey, five minutes away from home and because it is so close (and reasonably priced compared to the Canucks) Ethan can enjoy it with us. Here we are at the second game of the season against the San Antonio Rampage (Phoenix Coyotes affiliate). Ethan went to this game with him Grandpa and Daddy.