The Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League All-Star Game being played in Bancroft is a big win for hockey fans here and the community at large.
That from Bancroft Rockhounds Director Jamie Eastman.
He says hotels and restaurants will be packed on Tuesday, Jan. 17 when the game is played at North Hastings Community Centre.
Players from Western Canada and their families are coming to the game, which will showcase the best of the junior hockey league that operates separately from Hockey Canada.
The event starts with a prospect game at 5 p.m. and after there will be a skills competition. The All-Star Game takes place at 8 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door.
“We’ve got the best players and most exciting players coming from every team,” Eastman says. “All four teams will have excellent goaltending.
The (All-Star game for players under 21) is going to be pretty dynamic with the high age and skill level. It’s going to be a good competition.”
Landing the event is a great coup for the franchise, which only came to town in 2019.
Eastman says the Rockhounds earned the right to host the game by being a well-run organization in the league, with a dedicated fan base.
“We’re top of the list this year and we’re proud to get it,” he says. “We have a loyal crowd and a good crowd. They seem to really get into the games.
“Even in our tougher losses, our fans stick with us. And we appreciate that and we’re glad to have them.”
The Rockhounds will have four players in the festivities.
Those players are the top forward line of Charles Beaupre, Felix Tougas and Xavier Dumont-Renaud. The fourth player is goalie Igor Kulakov.