HMIBC MAY/JUNE 2019 NEWSLETTER

With Coach Taylor Harnett
With Coach Taylor Harnett

Happy July to all of you!

HMIBC
Well, this newsletter is a tad late this time…. It must be the warm sunny Okanagan weather that has slowed me down… or..  (Actually, it was the fact that Lorraine and I took a 3 week vacation starting June 9) Of course, getting back into it after a wonderful time away has left me a bit behind.
HMIBC
With Coaches Rylan Ferster and Ryan Parent
With Coaches Rylan Ferster and Ryan Parent

Let me fill you in on some of what I’ve been up to recently. During spring playoff season, I was in Revelstoke for a few days with the Kelowna Chiefs hockey club. It was there that I had lunch with coach Taylor Harnett of the Waywayseecappo Wolverines of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. (This club is on a First Nations Reserve located near Russell MB) It was good to chat with him and share a prayer. I also was pleased to spend time with my good friend and Hockey Pathways Rep. Rylan Ferster as well as Revelstoke Grizzlies coach Ryan Parent. It was at this time that Chiefs owner Grant Sheridan was hit hard with meningitis, which I wrote about in my last newsletter. Please continue to pray for Grant, his wife Cherie and their son Tanner as Grant is still struggling with severe difficulty.

HMIBC
With Tim Wiebe, HMI rep in Alberta
With Tim Wiebe, HMI rep in Alberta

In May, I drove to Brooks Alberta to attend my 10th Canadian Junior A championship Tournament. (It was so nice to be able to stay with Lorraine’s parents, who live an hour east in Medicine Hat.) Getting tickets to the tournament proved to be a bit difficult, and it was the Lord who helped me with this. I wrote to the executive director of the BC Hockey League about my desire to attend and before I knew it, he had contacted the BCHL champion Prince George Spruce Kings about having me receive credentials through them. In the span of two days, I had my Spruce Kings credentials! I was able to walk into the tournament! How’s that for awesome? Thank you Lord! During the tournament I met many great people, (it’s always about the people…) one of which was the Alberta Hockey Ministries representative Tim Wiebe. It’s great to see HMI colleagues along the way, as often I don’t get to see HMI staff sometimes for an entire year or so.

HMIBC
With Wellington Dukes player Mitch Martan
With Wellington Dukes player Mitch Martan

I also want to include a picture of Mitch Martan, who was in my chapels in West Kelowna with the Warriors. Mitch moved on from the Warriors and landed in Wellington Ontario playing for the Wellington Dukes. It was good to run into Mitch and renew acquaintances. It’s so great to know that most of the people I have mentioned have been involved in a Christian chapel and in a prayer time throughout their junior hockey career.

HMIBC
With ex Viper and Canuck Aaron Volpatti
With ex Viper and Canuck Aaron Volpatti

In late May, I was invited to a Canadian Blood Services event in Kelowna and ran into a player who was in my chapels when I was the chaplain for the Vernon VIpers Jr A club way back in 2004 –06. Aaron Volpatti went on to play in the NHL for Vancouver and Washington. It was so good to reconnect, and we will continue to stay in touch.

HMIBC
One final thing: I would ask you to pray for me this summer as I head to 2 hockey camps; one in Williams Lake and the other in Shawnigan Lake on Vancouver Island. These camps are such a great experience for young hockey players, both on and off the ice. On average, 15 campers make a decision for Christ in each camp. What a tremendous opportunity these camps present to share the gospel and inspire young athletes to be champions, both in their souls and also on the ice.
HMIBC
Thank you for your prayers, your kindness and your finances. Please take a moment and not only pray but let me know that you are enjoying the read!
HMIBC
Towards the Goal,
Don Richmond
Hockey Ministries International
Pacific Region
HMIBC
Prayer Points:
-Hockey camp in Williams Lake
-Hockey Camp in Shawnigan Lake
-decisions for Jesus at the camps
-safety for travellers to the camps
-training camps opening this August
-the 44 Hockey Chapel programs in BC
-Kelowna Chiefs owner Grant Sheridan
-financial support for this ministry