The event was held to celebrate 30 years of the specific Silverwolves program. In the winter of 1994/95 all players in the Ninga Recreational Hockey League were asked to create logo designs and names in order to brand their program. Many of the kids submitted artwork to go along with this.
Not long after, tragedy struck Ninga as Ray Smith Jr. and his mother Sharon were killed in a motor vehicle collision. Ray was a beloved member of the Ninga program and the community, so in his honour, it was decided they would use the Silver Wolf liquor label that he had submitted as the name and logo. A photo of Ray and the original jersey can be found on the north wall of the Silverdome.
“We asked Ray Smith Sr. and his family to commemorate this anniversary with us on that Saturday by dropping the puck for one of our youth games.”
The program itself is going strong. They have 75 players registered this year, which is similar to other years. There are five teams split into ages 5-17. What were once only Thursday night practices are now Mondays and Thursdays.
“As the years have gone by, we have seen an increase in youth rec hockey in the region,” Pugh explained.
“The number of towns and the size of their programs are, for the most part, seemingly increasing. This has created more opportunity for competition and travel. That being said, we wanted to have a day where all of our teams and family could be together like it was in the beginning of the program. With this year marking 30 years of Ninga Silverwolves hockey, we thought we would give it a whirl.”
The program aims to introduce each player to the sport of hockey in a family environment. They teach teamwork, discipline and respect while valuing every player and encouraging an active lifestyle. As Pugh explained, Silverwolves hockey is built around family. There are different roles that need to be filled, from coaching to stocking the canteen to sewing names on jerseys and more. When everyone works together, the program thrives.
“This past weekend was a reminder that hockey may be woven into all of our families’ lives, but that family and life itself is paramount to hockey.”
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff