Rhyah Stewart, shown making a save in a recent game, will be signing autographs following Sunday’s Minor Hockey Appreciation Day game against the Sydney Rush. The Cape Breton West U18 Major Islanders goaltender has had a great season to date, leading Nova Scotia to a national U18 Female silver medal, Canada to a world bronze medal, and the Islanders into the Nova Scotia provincial playoffs..
February 7, 2024
-by Bill Dunphy
In a league that plays mostly on weekends, the Nova Scotia U18 Major Hockey League had to make some adjustments to its schedule thanks to this past weekend’s ‘snowmageddon.’
The Cape Breton West Islanders, who were scheduled to end the regular season on Sunday at its annual Minor Hockey Appreciation Day, will play one more game after that in Sydney on Feb. 15.
The Islanders schedule now has them playing the Sydney Rush tomorrow (Thursday) in Membertou, Saturday in New Glasgow versus the Pictou County Rush, and then Sunday against the Rush at 3 p.m. at the Al MacInnis Sports Centre in Port Hood.
This game coincides with the team’s full slate of Minor Hockey Appreciation Day events.
The day includes: O Canada being sung by the Quad County U11 Whitecaps; presentations to the graduating Cape Breton West players; face painting; the team’s mascot will be in attendance; Islanders moms will be wearing the team’s away sweaters; a Tim Bits game after the first period with each player receiving a gift bag; free pizza after the second period to the minor hockey team (U9 and up) with the most players and coach sitting together wearing their team sweaters; free fun skate with the Islanders after the game (no sticks or pucks); and an autograph session after the game with Rhyah Stewart (hockey card will be provided).
As well, there are hundreds of giveaways to be made, including: the first 100 minor hockey players (U9 and up) at the game will receive a foam hand and/or a skate towel; the first 200 players will receive an Islanders sticker; Islanders toques will be tossed into the stands from the ice surface after the first and second periods; fans can enter a contest to win a toque; and an Islanders hat will be given to the first 12 minor hockey coaches.
And if the attendance at last year’s Minor Hockey Appreciation Day is any indication, it’s the early bird that gets the giveaways!
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