'It’s a lot of fun': Mike Babcock brings U of S team to Saskatoon neighbourhood rink
Angela Jones says she couldn’t be happier about a high-profile appearance at her neighbourhood's outdoor rink.
Mike Babcock, a former NHL coach who now coaches the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, brought his team to the Varsity View community rink on Wednesday.
“To see these guys here enjoying themselves and thinking the ice is really great for skating and having Mike Babcock is really neat,” said Jones, a member of the local community association.
The community association completed a $70,000 rink refurbishment in October thanks to fundraisers and donations.
Babcock thought to bring his team to the rink to enjoy a scrimmage because he lives in the neighbourhood and was impressed by what he saw.
“I just know by walking around this neighbourhood when it’s not minus 27, this rink is jammed and lots of people enjoy it,” Babcock told CTV News.
With new boards, lights and fencing it was the perfect choice for this coach to get back to the roots of Canadian hockey.
“Well, the big thing is this is how they all started and it’s a lot of fun to be out here. It will be a good team builder for us,” Babcock said.
Player Connor Hobbs is no stranger to this rink.
“It’s awesome. I spent some time on this rink as a kid.”
This game doesn’t mean anything in the league standings, where the Huskies are in third place, but that doesn’t mean that it wasn’t competitive.
“It’s supposed to be fun but today we have a little extra on the line. Bragging rights in the room makes for a good competition, a healthy competition,” Hobbs said.
So while this was just a fun way to fit in a practice, Babcock reminded his team of the unique rules.
“See those cars in front of those houses over there boys? You put a hole in one, you pay.”
Dozens of students from Brunskill school were able to watch the game once school wrapped up.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.