Game On Magazine - April 2017 GameOn-Apr2017-P001-144-ONLINE | Page 46

WINNIPEG GOLDEYES HOCKEY NIGHT
Nothing Beats
Goldeyes’ Hockey
Night
By Scott Taylor
Photos by Jeff and Tara Miller
W
GOLDEYES PITCHER
EDWIN CARL WEARING
THE SPECIAL HOCKEY
NIGHT JERSEYS
46 GAME ON
2017 PLAYOFF EDITION
innipeg Goldeyes Hockey Night has become one of the most
popular nights of the summer at our city’s little downtown
ball park. And, when you stop and think about it, it should be.
I mean, in Winnipeg, is there anything that could possibly be more enter-
taining than a night of Goldeyes baseball combined with our inherently Ca-
nadian love of hockey?
This year, Winnipeg Goldeyes Hockey Night will take place on Tuesday, Aug.
22, at Shaw Park and no doubt, there will be pro hockey stars, amateur hock-
ey heroes and of course, the Goldeyes, resplendent in their hockey-themed
jerseys.
This year will mark the sixth time the Fish have held Hockey Night, an eve-
ning that has included the likes of Michael Hutchinson, Mark Stuart, Chris
Thorburn, Zach Bogosian, Craig Heisinger, Florida Panthers goalie James
Reimer, Calder Cup champion Justin Falk and, of course, our old pal Dancin’
Gabe.
“It started in the 2012 season,” recalled Goldeyes general manager Andrew
Collier. “The idea was to celebrate the great game of hockey at the ballpark.
There’s no denying hockey is the most popular sport in the country, so why
not celebrate it? Our annual Hockey Night has evolved over the years and is
now one of our more popular nights of the season.”
Indeed. Last year’s game, which featured Winnipeg Jets goaltender Michael
Hutchinson and his high, hard strike for an opening pitch, was close to a sell-
out.
“The Jets are very popular and we have a wonderful relationship with our
friends at True North Sports and Entertainment, so when fans get to see
guys like Chris Thorburn or Michael Hutchinson throw out a first pitch, it’s a
highlight of any theme night,” Collier added. “And each year, we design a dif-
ferent hockey style baseball jersey that the players wear. We’ll then auction
the jerseys off during remaining games with proceeds to the Field of Dreams
Foundation.”
This year, Collier expects a very special evening. Since it’s the 40th Anniver-
sary of the release of the classic hockey movie, Slap Shot, there will, no doubt
be a few references thrown in.
“Honestly, it’s one of the easiest theme nights to execute since almost ev-
eryone has a hockey jersey at home,” said Collier, who has often worn Jets
and Team Canada jerseys himself at the Hockey Night games. “Our staff and
fans really get into it and wear their favorite jersey to the game.”
The Pint Public House joined the Goldeyes as the event’s sponsor two years
ago and will again be the sponsor of Hockey Night this year, so you know
where everyone will be headed after the game.
More importantly, The Pint will be on hand with the Goldeyes, their one-of-
a-kind hockey jerseys, hockey celebrities and about 7,000 spectators to get
the 2017-18 hockey season underway just a couple of weeks early.
And don’t forget, the Goldeyes open the 2017 at home on Monday, May 29
against the Sioux Falls Canaries at Shaw Park. Season tickets, 10-game mini
packs, and group outings for the 2017 season are on sale now.  For more in-
formation, call the Goldeyes’ office at (204) 982-BASE, or visit the Goldeyes’
official website at www.goldeyes.com. n