INNISFAIL – It was late 2022 when Innisfail RCMP Staff Sgt. Ian Ihme was approached by the Innisfail Fire Department with an idea to take their longstanding professional rivalry to the ice; a hockey game to settle who was best.
Of course it was said with good natured fun it mind but both sides agreed it would be a great way to help the community; a hockey game to raise money and food for the Innisfail and District Food Bank during a time of great need.
The game was on but there was no time to lose and a date of Jan. 6 was quickly set for the 1st Annual Battle of the Badges hockey game at the Innisfail Twin Arena between the RCMP hockey team and Innisfail Fire Rescue.
The inaugural game was a smash hit.
The arena was packed with more than 1,000 fans. The Mounties won the game by a score of 15-10 but it did not really matter. The inaugural event raised more than $6,000 and 1,487 pounds of food for the local food bank.
Ihme was the Mounties’ coach and fire chief Gary Leith was behind the bench for the firefighters.
“I actually thought they were going to sack me after last year but they have decided to give me another go,” said Leith with a chuckle. “It was a great event last year. We raised a lot of money and also a huge amount of food donations.
“We have a great relationship with the RCMP, and this adds a little bit of spice and competitiveness into it,” he said, adding his firefighters are already signing up to play. “We have quite of few names already and we’ll probably draw from some of our neighbouring departments as well.”
Courtney Malone, the local RCMP detachment service assistant and exhibit custodian, is on the organizing committee for the 2nd Annual Battle of the Badges.
She told the Albertan last week that with the overwhelming success of the inaugural charity hockey game, despite it being put together on short notice, it was important to get a head start on the second one.
“We want to make it bigger and better this year, so we just decided to get on it faster,” said Malone, adding the committee also includes Rhonda Turnquist, administrative assistant for Innisfail Fire and Protective Services and Innisfail RCMP Const. Craig Nelson, the detachment’s popular community schools resource officer.
Malone said the 2024 Battle of the Badges will be held at the Innisfail Twin Arena on Jan. 5, just one day shy of a full year since the inaugural match.
With the 2024 game still three and half months away Malone said excitement is already building in her office and in the community.
“They seem to be really pumped about it,” said Malone. “We're (RCMP) getting all new jerseys this year. We got the Edmonton Oilers alumni involved this year as well. They're going to send down some players, probably six, and then we are still in talks with Calgary (Flames alumni) to send some.”
The extra time to prepare also gives organizers time to promote the event, which last year’s organizing committee could not do because of the short time it had to make the event happen.
“We are going to be putting out sponsor letters; anybody who would like to donate to the food bank or prizes for the raffle,” said Malone, adding it’s hoped the committee will get them off to local businesses this week.
She added the price of admission for the public to see the game will just be a donation to the food bank, either cash or a foot item.
