It was only a few short years ago, that the stands were scarce of fans and the atmosphere at the Clancy Richard Arena was much less celebratory at the weekly Junior B games in St. Paul.
Although having a winning hockey team may not be a big deal for some people, for others, the current atmosphere at the arena is something to treasure, something to rally around, and something to help build up the community.
Families often gather at the events, and people of all ages mingle and socialize. Coming together for a common interest, and hoping to see a common goal realized under the same roof, is in fact something that we can be proud of as a community.
The benefits are many, and obvious when you attend a game at the arena. The youngest fans line up to offer fist bumps to their on-ice heroes, who tower over the tiny fans, but those players seem just as eager to offer a high five or fist bump in return.
Many of the same faces return to the arena each week, sitting in the same spots, while cheering on the players they’ve come to know, by name and number.
Along with having an outstanding season, the Junior B Canadiens are bringing a large event to town this season, as the organization readies to host Junior B provincials in just over a month.
The group is still hoping to rally a few more helping hands for the event, which is maybe a small way some of us can say thanks to a team that has worked hard, and played hard. Hosting provincials has clear impacts to the community, with hockey teams and outside fans coming to town, offering a bit of a boost to the local economy.
As the teams continues its playoff run, and pushes for provincial glory, it might be worth a trip to the Clancy, if you haven’t yet attended a game, and see what it’s like to be part of the community spirit that’s been built up over the past four months.
