Riderville.com Staff

Despite the cold, several members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders have been hitting the outdoor rinks in preparation for game one of this year’s Rider Pride Hockey Challenge, presented by SaskCanola.

This off-season’s tour kicks off Saturday, January 21 in Yorkton where Rider players and staff will take on a team comprised of coaches from Yorkton Minor Football (YMF) in a charity hockey game set for 7:00 pm at the Kinsmen Arena. An autograph session will take place from 5-6 pm inside the facility as well.

All tickets are $5. Tickets are available at Farrell Agencies, York-Sask Drycleaners and potentially at the door if not sold-out in advance. All proceeds to benefit YMF in its efforts to construct a washroom/change room facility at their home park, Century Field.

Rider fans in Yorkton can expect to see players such as slotbacks Chris Getzlaf and Jordan Sisco, as well as fullback Neal Hughes and kicker Chris Milo, among others, toss aside their cleats for skates on Saturday night.
And once again, the Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission is playing a key role in getting the tour on the ice.

“Canola country is Rider country and the Hockey Challenge helps further the Kickoff to Good Health campaign we have with the Riders by informing consumers and fans alike about the health and nutrition benefits of the ‘number 1’ heart-healthy oil, canola oil,” said Catherine Folkersen, Executive Director, SaskCanola. “Our producers are proud of the relationship we have with the Riders and it’s terrific to see the team coming out to the communities such as Yorkton where our producers work and live.”

Co-organizer Jason Farrell said the opportunity to host the Rider Pride team in a fun event such as this, all the while raising funds for an initiative that will enhance the user-experience of a community facility, is rewarding and exciting.

“Everything YMF has done has been in the spirit of not only improving our football program but the community as whole,” said Farrell. “The washroom and change room facility will be utilized by all user groups including track & field, soccer, tennis, marching band, and those who use the walking track.”

He said the game played with cleats not blades, has grown in popularity over the years and is evident by the amount of people at the field.

“It is truly humbling during the fall to see four football teams sharing the practice fields. At any one time between August and the end of October, you will see over 120 players and coaches on the field.  The Riders have been an integral part of Yorkton Minor Football achieving this goal,” said Farrell. “The support of  the Riders brings legitimacy to our cause.  We look forward to ‘The garlic curtain’ becoming an important feeder program for the Green and White.”

In the meantime, however, the on-ice version of the Green and White plans to feed a few goals into a hungry net, with Regina born Getzlaf likely to lead that charge. But Farrell warns the younger, faster more agile Rider foe that he and his teammates are prepared for the challenge!

“We were born ready,” smiled Farrell. “I have been waiting for this day for 38 years.  Some of my teammates have been waiting longer.  It’s going to be a physical affair.”