The GAHA Beginners level hockey players were surprised when Santa arrived on the ice for a skate and some fun on Monday night during the groups last session for 2017.
75 kids, ages 3-9 years old, hit the ice with Santa leading the way in the hockey drills for the evening.
The GAHA Beginners program has been around since 1984 and is sponsored by Tim Hortons, who also provide the team jerseys. Monday night Tim Hortons also donated the TimBits and refreshments for the players and their families after the Christmas celebration. Perry’s Ice Cream provided the ice cream sandwiches.
After the skate, Santa met with the kids in the party room and gave out a small gift to each player.
Sharon Valyear-Gray and her husband Bob have been running the beginner group for the past four years.
Enrollment in the program has increased from 30 kids four years ago, to about 80 kids this year.
Gray says after running the group from 1984-1995 she has a feel for it.
“I have four grandkids at the hockey rink anyway,” says Gray. So when the previous person stepped down Gray said why not.
Head Coach Jim Kujawski and Assistant Coach Brian McCarthy along with the on ice helpers, dads, moms and student coaches, all follow the USA Hockey’s American Development Modules in teaching beginners on how to skate and develop hockey skills.