In the spring of 2018, Helen Urlacher travelled to Fernie, B.C. to help them with their bid for Kraft Hockeyville. While there, the mayor of Fernie, Mary Giuliano, gave her the “game puck” from the senior hockey team, the Fernie Ghostriders. When she returned to Wilkie, she discussed the possibility of the Wilkie Outlaws having a specially designed game puck.
WILKIE — Through Wilkie connections, Brian Latimer and Clarke Jackson, who work at the Canadian Tire store in North Battleford, she was able to meet with owner Brett Payne. She, along with Outlaw executive Andy Gerlinsky met with them and out of that meeting, Payne on behalf of Canadian Tire and the Jumpstart, donated 150 pucks to the Outlaws and another 150 to Wilkie Minor Hockey.
Jumpstart helps make all sports and play accessible to all Canadian kids, getting them off the sidelines and into the games.
Urlacher contacted Gloria Bajema of Classic Impressions in Wilkie who was able to design the Wilkie Outlaw logo to be put on the pucks. Nathan Evans, public works employee for the town of Wilkie designed a “special” Canadian Tire container for the game puck fundraiser.
With the help of many and the generosity of Canadian Tire, the first Wilkie Outlaw game puck was dropped at the first game of the 2018 -19 season for the Sask. West Hockey League when the Outlaws hosted the Luseland Mallards on Nov. 2.
The specially designed Canadian Tire container is used to collect donations and names of those who deserve a puck. During the third period, a winner of the special puck is chosen.
The first game puck was Outlaw supporter George Benson. Money raised during the hockey season will be collected by the executive of the Outlaws and at the end of the season, be donated to Jumpstart.
The Outlaws realize the importance of getting kids into sports – all kinds of sports, to keep them healthy and active and are pleased to “pay it forward.”
