Rogers Hometown Hockey is gearing up to skate into Horseshoe Resort for a three-day festival of all things hockey that begins Saturday.
Toronto Maple Leafs legend Darryl Sittler will be in attendance at the festival both Saturday and Sunday. The Oro-Medonte Township resident has been involved with Hometown Hockey since the event’s inception.
“I’ve been to many communities throughout Ontario and Canada and I’ve seen the energy and excitement it can bring to a community. So, having been up on Lake Simcoe for many years, I know the people here appreciate it,” Sittler said.
As a resident of Oro-Medonte, the former Leafs captain says it’s meaningful to him that Hometown Hockey will be happening in his own backyard this weekend.
“I feel like I’ve been a part of this community a long time, for most of my life so to speak, so it’s nice to see that this event is coming to Oro-Medonte,” Sittler said.
“I always enjoy when Oro-Medonte is recognized for hosting events and entertainment. People will watch Hometown Hockey on Monday night, it will bring attention to our community, and people will learn what Oro-Medonte is all about.”
Sittler says this weekend’s festivities are a great way to celebrate and grow the game of hockey in his own community.
“Hometown hockey gives recognition to the people in the community who shouldn’t go unnoticed for their charity work, leadership, and have great careers whether it’s hockey or not. It’s nice that these people will be recognized nationally through the broadcast of Hometown Hockey,” he said.
“It gives kids in the community an opportunity to get out and be a part of skills competitions, autograph sessions, and enjoy live local music. It’s a celebration and something each community takes pride in when they are selected to be a part of it.”
The Hockey Hall of Famer was first introduced to the Oro-Medonte area in 1970 when he and his wife stayed on Lake Couchiching while he worked at a hockey camp with Mike Walton and Bobby Orr near the lake. From that summer on, Sittler decided to spend his off-seasons in Simcoe County.
“My kids played minor sports up here in the summertime, I worked with Bill Swinimer and Tom Hussey in Orillia, and I've been involved in Lakehead University with helping raise money to get it off the ground. All of those things are meaningful to me,” he said.
“It feels like home to us, we feel like we are a part of the community, and I think they feel the same way about me.”
Sittler says he is looking forward to connecting with hockey fans in the area this weekend when he participates in a meet-and-greet and autograph sessions.
Hometown Hockey schedule
- Saturday, November 6 – Festival open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday, November 7 – Festival open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Monday, November 8 – Rogers Hometown Hockey viewing party starts at 6:30 p.m. through to the end of the broadcast.
- Feature – Rogers Hometown Hockey sits down with former Barrie Shark and aspiring Olympian, Jessie Eldridge. Growing up in Barrie without a dedicated girls hockey program, Eldridge worked her way from minor league boys’ hockey to hoisting the PWHPA’s Secret Cup in 2021. Ron and Tara will chat with her about growing the women’s game and setting her sights on Beijing 2022.
- Hometown Must – Ron and Tara head to Glen Oro Farm for a Boutique Trail Horse Riding Experience. The Glen Oro Farm was first settled in 1841 by Duncan Clark and generations later, the farm continues to maintain its proud heritage and traditions.
- Sobey’s Home Town Heroes – Ron and Tara shine the spotlight on Calgary Flames forward Andrew Mangiapane, a protégé of former Barrie Colts head coach Dale Hawerchuk.
On-site activities
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