The outdoor rink (ODR) is a place many in the community, province, and across the nation first fell in love with the game of hockey. (Facebook/Battlefords North Stars)

By Martin Martinson

Good Ol' Hockey Game

North Stars highlight outdoor rinks in community

Jan 8, 2021 | 3:22 PM

The Battlefords North Stars and Canadian Tire have partnered together to encourage families from around the community, and across the region, to keep active on the outdoor rink this winter.

The inaugural ‘Show Us Your ODR’ contest invites hockey fans to submit pictures of their favourite outdoor rink (ODR), by posting them on social media and tagging the North Stars account.

Submissions will then be entered for a chance to win a Battlefords North Stars merchandise prize pack.

Marketing manager with the team, Jennifer Whyte, said the idea came about pretty organically, as a way to stay connected with the community while the hockey season remains put on hold throughout the province.

“It’s been a bit of a challenge this year to be as involved in the community, and that’s a really big part of what the North Stars are and what we stand for,” Whyte said. “We wanted to get involved with the fans and also thank our sponsors like Canadian Tire – who are known as Canada’s outdoor store. This idea I felt kind of brings those things together hand-in-hand.”

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Less than a full 24 hours into the contest, submissions have come of local backyard rinks in the Battlefords, as well as those in surrounding communities such as Meota and Edam. Whyte said she’s been blown away by the response, adding that it just goes to show how impactful the sport truly is at connecting people.

“The whole goal is just to bring everybody together to share their experiences, and their love for the game, so it’s actually coming together really well,” she said. “I didn’t necessarily expect this many people to participate, but it’s been really great to see.”

Whyte said one of the real benefits of the contest taking place on social media is that it allows for those who have been involved with the team or community in the past, to engage with them once again and reconnect a bit, through simply posting a picture.

“The thing we love so much about the Battlefords North Stars is that the team brings people together,” she said. “It’s Battleford and North Battleford, but it’s also all over the region and all over Saskatchewan that really rally behind us. It’s really neat to be able to use social media to bring all those people back to us, and really see what they’re up to too.”

A submission deadline for this year’s event is likely to be announced in the coming days. To enter an outdoor rink submission, people are invited to simply post a picture to social media and tag the Battlefords North Stars.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1