High school hockey players in Bonnyville suited up to take on the RCMP in a challenge from the community's favourite canine, Odie.
Ending in an 8-8 tie, the inaugural Odie's Challenge pitted 20 players from Bonnyville's three high schools against a team of 12 RCMP members from Bonnyville, Cold Lake and St. Paul.
“It's just a way for the community and the kids to see us in a different angle,” said Cst. JF Guilbeault, who organized Odie's Challenge. “We want to create that relationship and we want them to help us solve issues with crime in the community. By having this event and them seeing us as a person, they're more willing to come and talk to us.”
On Feb. 9, students and community members packed into the RJ Lalonde for a hockey game unlike any other in Bonnyville.
The high school team got on the scoreboard first, with a goal from Notre Dame High School's Austin Saint. It wasn't long before the RCMP team put their training to good use on the ice, by the end of the first they led 3-1.
After two goals from the RCMP to start out the second, the high school team managed to bring the score back within one. The RCMP weren't making it easy on the students, though, as they shot in three quick goals of their own.
The teams headed into the third period with the high school team trailing the RCMP 8-5.
“We weren't ready for the RCMP to come out the way that they did. I wasn't expecting them to be able to skate as well we they did,” said Grade 10 BCHS student Cassidy Smith, who plays on the Midget Lakeland Jaguars.
While the RCMP tried to keep their lead, they weren't able to hold off the high school team. Three goals from the students in the third tied up the score at 8 a piece to end the game.
“I was actually surprised. We've never played before so it was a little hard, but we all connected,” said Courtney Claude, a Grade 11 student at Beaux-Lacs and Midget Jaguars player.
The idea for Odie's Challenge was an extension of Guilbeault's everyday method of connecting with youth. A member of the RCMP for almost eight years, he has regularly used Canada' favourite past time as way to bond with those in the communities he's worked in.
“I used to do a lot of noon hockey with the school. It was just very simple, show up with a team and play in-school ball hockey. I wanted to do something a little bigger this time, and we had the opportunity with the town paying for the ice time,” explained Guilbeault.
There was more to the hockey game then just having fun. They used the event as an opportunity to raise funds for their namesake, Bonnyville Victim Services Unit (VSU) dog Odie. Non-perishable food items were also collected and donated to the local food bank.
“Odie is very dear to the RCMP's heart so it was easy for us to choose Odie to support,” said Cst. Laura Carroll, who helped organize the event. “Given the situation in our town right now, and across Alberta, we know the food bank was in great need. After talking to them, they're supporting so many families in our community so we wanted to support them.”
The game was an overwhelming success, raising over $1,100 for Odie and a large number of food donations, with more still coming in from the schools that collected donations leading up to the game.
“I was actually amazed. It was a really good turnout, many more people than what I expected for sure,” said Debbie Winstone, Bonnyville VSU assistant coordinator and Odie's primary handler.
Winstone added, “I want to thank the community for their support, it's much appreciated. What Odie does for people that he come into contact with is a very unique and special thing, so to have the community support, that is amazing.”
Odie's Challenge received praise from the high school players, with many expressing they're hoping for a rematch.
“I think it's a great thing to do and it brings us together with the cops. I'd like to see it happen more,” said Logan Lukinuk, who attends BCHS.
Beaux-Lacs student Gaston Vasseur added, “(It was a good opportunity) to come out and play with some friends, and a chance to play against the RCMP. I actually might join the RCMP, so I was playing against people I might see in the future.”
For Guilbeault and Carroll, Odie's Challenge served as a way for them to make one last impact on the youth in Bonnyville. While both are being transferred out of the Bonnyville RCMP Detachment, their wish is that another member will take the lead and make Odie's Challenge an annual game.
Regardless, Carroll said she couldn't have asked for the first event to go any better.
“The students really amazed me at the hockey game. From the excited players arriving and practicing, the fans cheering when myself and the RCMP came out on the ice to start the event, to all the students watching and rooting for their teams. Their excitement was very much appreciated and it showed Cst. Guilbeault and myself that our planning paid off.”
