Mr. Hockey Night: Canes' Host Giants

The Lethbridge Hurricanes host the Vancouver Giants Wednesday night at the ENMAX Centre.

It's a special night at the as the Hurricanes will welcome one of the greatest players to ever lace up a pair of skates. "Mr. Hockey" Gordie Howe will be in attendance to drop the opening puck. He'll also sign autographs for a few lucky fans during the intermissions. The first 2000 fans to Wednesday's game will get Gordie Howe pictures and a select few will be chosen to meet Gordie Howe and get their pictures taken with him.

On Tuesday night, the Canes' hosted a special dinner at Coco Pazzo Restaurant to honour Gordie Howe. Gordie and his son Marty were there along with about 75 guests including myself and Colour Analyst Fred Jack (pictured above with Gordie Howe). We were very lucky to have the opportunity to M.C. the event and rub shoulders with one of the all-time greats in the game of hockey. Gordie and Marty played with Hurricanes G.M. and Head Coach Rich Preston with the Houston Aeros of the WHA back in the 1970's. Rich told a number of stories about their time playing together and rattled them off like they happened yesterday. Even Gordie himself got up to say a few words. It was an awesome evening and hats off to the entire Hurricanes organization for getting the whole thing off the ground. WHL Commissioner Ron Robsion made the trip down from Calgary for the dinner and Vancouver Giants Owner Ron Toigo was all in attendance. (On the bottom-right, Gordie Howe speaking with Hurricanes Governor Herman Elfring and Lethbridge West M.L.A. Greg Weadick)

I must say, not everyday does a person get a chance to meet one of the best to ever play the game. It was an honour just to be in the same room and have a chance to speak with him. Gordie Howe is one of the nicest, most humble people you could ever meet. The Hurricanes will honour Gordie Howe Wednesday by wearing the number "9" on the front of their jerseys for the game against Vancouver.

Wednesday will be the second and final meeting this season between the Hurricanes and Giants. Vancouver won the last game back in late October and as mentioned on this blog earlier, the Hurricanes haven't defeated the Giants since December of 2004. The Giants are coming off a 3-2 in Medicine Hat on Tuesday.

Game time from the ENMAX Centre is 7:00 pm (MST). The pre-game show on CJOC at 6:30.

Thanks,

Pat

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