Happy March days to my HMI Pacific teammates!
Blessings to you as you begin to see a bit more grass in the front yard and start enjoying a few moments of spring warmth! The promise of warmer weather coming is such a great feeling! We can’t forget to thank the Lord for each unique season, but c’mon, spring is pretty exciting! As is Hockey Ministries… so here is the latest scoop.
Right after New Years, I hopped on the Warriors bus for a 3 game road trip to Victoria, Nanaimo and Port Alberni. It was super trip, but even with 2 out of 3 wins, the highlights were not on the ice. When I was in Victoria, I had a chance to meet up with the Victoria Grizzlies chaplain Tony Janzen and his wife Rebekah. We’ve been friends for quite a long time, so it was wonderful to have a good visit. Tony has done a great job in Victoria, but has decided to step down from the Grizzlies chaplaincy. Tony will definitely be missed, but the good thing is that he has found a new chaplain, Eric Guthrie. I ask you to pray for Eric as he learns the ropes from Tony and assumes the chaplaincy in the fall. Also on the trip, I was pleased to hold a chapel on Saturday morning in Nanaimo. When we were finished, one of the hotel employees came to me with tears in her eyes and told me that she had never seen anything like it as she watched the boys coming out of that chapel room. It was a solemn and meaningful chapel, with many of the boys giving me a big hug on the way out. I am thankful for the work of the Holy Spirit on people’s lives, and I pray that this employee won’t forget what she saw that day.
On a very difficult note, in mid January it was with sadness that I heard of the passing of Vernon Vipers long time owner, Dr. Duncan Wray. It was in Vernon with the Vipers that I began hockey chaplaincy back in 2000. Duncan was very open to chaplaincy, and opened the door for me to meet the entire BC Hockey League Board of Governors. So, on Saturday afternoon January 20, I was able to attend Dr. Wray’s memorial service which was held right at centre ice at Kal Tire Place arena in Vernon.
The past while I have had the privilege of visiting with a few chaplains, some are veterans and a few are brand new. It was good to spend a bit of time with Dave McCauley, long-time chaplain of the Merritt Centennials. Dave and his church in Merritt have done a remarkable job of ministering to the Centennials hockey club. (This picture of Dave and I was taken when he visited in West Kelowna.) Also, I had the great honour to meet up with two new chaplains: Colton Conrad, who is starting up a chaplaincy program with the Kamloops Storm Jr. B hockey club and Kyle Reddemon, who took over in Salmon Arm with the Silverbacks when former chaplain Kenny Toews moved away.
In mid February, Lorraine and I travelled to Trail for a few days. The Smoke Eaters have had a dramatic turn around due to new ownership and renewed passion for that storied franchise. They attract from between 2000 to 3000 fans for their home games, up from small crowds of 500 just a few years ago. When we arrived in Trail on Saturday afternoon, we had a great dinner with our friends Mike and Sheila Davis and then headed to the game. At the game, I sang the National Anthem in front of over 2300 fans. How fun; the place was rocking!! The Smoke Eaters chaplain is Bruce Taylor, who is doing a fabulous job with the team. Of note: Bruce lead the players in the Lord’s Prayer before the game, which was wonderful to see. We had a great time as Bruce and his wife Susan hosted Lorraine and I at the game. It was also great to speak with Trail goaltender Tanner Marshall, who had previously been in my chapels with the Kelowna Chiefs. On the Sunday morning, I spoke at Gateway Christian Life Centre in Trail. At least 10 Smoke Eaters players came to the morning service, along with the team’s new owner and his wife. What a great weekend we had! I am so very thankful for the good people in Trail for doing their part to spread the gospel of Christ Jesus.
On the 17th of February, we held our 9th Annual West Kelowna Warriors Faith Night. This is a huge event on the Warriors home schedule; we had one of the two largest home crowds of the season. Even though it snowed heavily that day, it was great to see the stands full of church seniors, families, and children as well as pastors, being salt and light at the rink. From the Faith Night video interviews to a combined youth anthem choir to Pastor’s boot hockey at the intermission to having Pastor’s in the Warriors truck throwing out chocolate bars, we had an absolutely fabulous time! At the end of the game, the team held their Annual Awards ceremony at centre ice. I was honoured to present Captain Jared Marino with the Warriors Chapel Program Award.
Finally, with hockey playoffs starting, each team’s schedules are never quite set. No one knows how many games each series will last and if a team loses a series, their season is over. My hope is to connect with as many players as I can, to chat or perhaps have coffee and a prayer. Please be praying for our chaplains in BC as they minister to young athletes who are under considerable playoff pressure to perform. Also, could I also ask you to pray as the Royal Bank Cup (RBC) Canadian Jr. A Championship tournament is coming to Chilliwack in May. This 9 day tournament ends with the presentation of the National Championship trophy, the Royal Bank Cup. I will be attending my 10th RBC, and I have applied as a volunteer to be a counsellor and an anthem singer.
Prayer Points
-new Kamloops chaplain Colton Conrad
-new Salmon Arm chaplain Kyle Reddemon
-Trail chaplain Bruce Taylor
-new Victoria chaplain Eric Guthrie
-for opportunities during this playoff season
-for players who are under much pressure to perform
-the Royal Bank Cup (Chilliwack) preparations
Wow! I think that’s it for now!
May the Lord bless you as you continue to serve Him during these exciting days!
Don Richmond
Hockey Ministries International
Pacific Region