Ponoka’s highly successful Midget A Wolves will put their popularity into use by playing a fundraiser game against an RCMP team at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan 14, with all the proceeds to be donated to the local chapter of KidSport.
Ryan Koehli, the head coach of the Wolves, the Mountie from the RCMP Ponoka Detachment assigned as Resource Officer to the schools in town, said several officers from the neighbouring detachments, including Wetaskiwin, Red Deer and Stettler, would join the RCMP team to beef up the local core.
He said the event would feature various other activities, including a short game of Mites during the break and a music band playing to the audience.
Matt Klimec, one of the high scoring offense players in the Wolves’ ranks, said they were very happy with the opportunity of doing some good for the community.
“Just because you can get out to the community and give support to people who need it is always a good thing to do.”
“And playing hockey is the best way to do it,” Klimec added.
But Wolves may have other motivations, as well, like playing against and beating their own coach in a hockey game.
Jordan Wombold, another offense player sounded very confident as he replied “Oh, yes we will,” when asked about their chances of beating the RCMP team.
“Coach Ryan is on the (RCMP) team, that is enough advantage for us,” he joked.
But jokes aside, Klimec said Koehli was good in getting his message through to his players and that he was communicating efficiently with players as a coach.
“He is not a motivational speaker but he can relay messages well and can get the team do what he wants.”