Dozens of young Langley Rivermen fans crowded onto the ice after Sunday night’s (Jan. 7) win over the Cranbrook Bucks at the George Preston arena for the team’s Family Fun Skate – a chance to get up close and personal with players.
One wide-eyed little girl got a high-altitude view as she carried around the rink by 6’ 7” Rivermen goaltender Liam Hallett.
Hallett made two circuits of the ice holding the child in his arms before returning her to her family, who left before they could be interviewed.
“She had no skates or helmet, but she wanted to get out on the ice,” Hallett told the Langley Advance Times.
Participants were expected to bring their own skates to the event.
While the game was in progress, some young fans lined up by the rink exit to the team dressing room between periods for a chance to high-five their heroes when they came off the ice.
As the game wrapped up, there was a scramble by parents to get kids into their skates.
Family skates have been a tradition at Langley Rivermen games since the team started up, with kids getting in free.
Over the years, other junior teams have adopted the practice as well.
Hallett, 18, from Victoria, was one of several new additions to the Rivermen roster this season.
At the time of the June announcement, as a player in the St. George’s School U18 Prep Program, Hallett had a goals-against average of 2.62 and a .929 save percentage, described as a “tremendous performance” by Burt Henderson, Rivermen head coach.
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