The Barrhead Agrena has never been louder then on Friday, Dec. 5.
The stands were filled with red, blue and white, in celebration of the arrival of the Montreal Canadiens Alumni team.
The Barrhead Agrena Society and Parks and Recreation Department, hosted the event as a fundraiser for the Barrhead Aquatic Centre bringing in $10,500 for the project.
The Barrhead Old Vets proved they could keep up with the Alumni, and ended the game with a final score of 9-5 for the Canadiens.
“Barrhead is a wonderful community when it comes to supporting events,” Director of the Parks and Recreation Department, Sue Keenan said.
Keenan added she was happy with the turnout at the event.
“I thought it was fantastic, we figured we had about 900 plus,” Keenan said. “Everyone that was there, from the kids to some of the seniors, it was just an incredible atmosphere.”
Two local players hit the ice with the Montreal Canadiens Alumni in support of the event.
Al Parenteau and Aly Virani each donated $1,000 in order to secure their spot on the alumni team, with the proceeds going towards the pool.
“It was the thrill of a lifetime for them, and their generosity was greatly appreciated by everybody,” Keenan said.
After the game, those who purchased VIP tickets sat down with the alumni players, taking photos and getting autographs.
“It made a lot of people’s dream come true,” Keenan said, adding that the players put in a lot of time to meet with fans.
“It was a once in a lifetime opportunity, I hope we can have something similar in the future,” Keenan said.
For Hockey Hall of Famer, Guy Lafleur, events like this benefit both the community and the alumni.
“As a professional athlete you receive a lot from the public, and it is nice to give something back to the community,” Lafleur, coach of the Alumni Montreal Canadiens said.
Lafleur spent 17 years playing in the NHL, with Montreal, New York, and Quebec.
Lafleur also won the Stanley Cup five times during his career with the NHL, and has been a part of the Alumni team since 1992.
These events give fans a chance to meet some of their favourite players, Lafleur said.
“It gives an opportunity also, for the fans who followed our careers to meet us, and take pictures,” he said. “A lot of times they have memories of plays or goals that we score, and we don’t even remember them… they appreciate our style of plays.”
Lafleur said over the years he has travelled all across Canada, and throughout his journey he has noticed one thing in common from coast to coast.
“That is where you realize that there is a lot of hockey fans in Canada… everybody is playing hockey, it doesn’t matter where,” Lafleur said.
According to Lafleur, many alumni players want to stay in the sport, and this team is one of the ways they can.
“It keeps us in the game, and keeps your name alive in a way,” he said.
Organizing an event like this involves a lot of work, Lafleur said, adding organizers of the event deserve to be recognized for their efforts.
“I think it is a lot of work to organize a game like that for the local people,” Lafleur said. “I have a lot of respect for these people because they are trying to help out different organizations, and like I said, it is a lot of work.”
“They work hard, and they deserve success,” Lafleur added.
