The excitement around the gym at 脡cole Brodeur School in Esquimalt was palpable Monday night, as players with the Victoria Special Olympics played alongside some of their heroes with the Victoria Royals.
This annual event, during which players from the Western Hockey League club mix with those from this community organization, is a highlight of the season for both groups. The smiles are plentiful through the ranks of the players and also amongst the parents and caregivers watching on the sidelines.
B次元官网网址淵ou can sense the electricity, so to speak, when you come in B次元官网网址� everyone has that extra energy, that extra pep in their step,B次元官网网址� said Kyle Eriksen. HeB次元官网网址檚 the volunteer head coach for the organizationB次元官网网址檚 recreational and competitive floor hockey groups, which total roughly 40 individuals.
One of the competitive players, Matthew Schultz, is like most of his teammates a huge Royals fan B次元官网网址� he and many others wore their Victoria jerseys for the occasion B次元官网网址� and Matthew Phillips is his favourite player.
Asked how much fun he was having, Schultz said B次元官网网址渁 boatload,B次元官网网址� adding he always looks forward to this event. While he hadnB次元官网网址檛 yet scored, he was looking to put one past his teammate, Leslie, wearing a Royals jersey in the opposing net on this night.
Royals captain Matthew Phillips, playing for a second time in the annual games, called it a B次元官网网址渟pecial eventB次元官网网址� that means a lot to he and his teammates.
B次元官网网址淲e have a ton of fun and they seem to really enjoy it as well, so itB次元官网网址檚 awesome to get to come out here,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 think when you have the opportunity that we have to help out in the community and be present and meet some new people, then itB次元官网网址檚 definitely something you want to go for every time you can.B次元官网网址�
Phillips said with a chuckle that the Special Olympics players know a lot about the Royals, from their statistics to their style of play.
Eriksen said his players are also excited about their upcoming floor hockey tournament, March 17 and 18 in the Comox Valley. ItB次元官网网址檚 a regional qualifier for the 2019 B.C. Special Olympics Games in Vernon and B次元官网网址渢he first stepB次元官网网址� in a road that for some leads to the Winter Special Olympics World Games.
On this night, however, the coach appreciated the efforts of the junior players to join his group for some fun games.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 great to see these Royals coming out and being great guys and showing how ready they are for the next step themselves,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 awesome to see these guys be class acts like this.B次元官网网址�
Not only do Royals players give their time to play, the team provides Victoria Special Olympics with specially priced tickets for WHL games. Eriksen said the swimming group and curling team often join floor hockey players for the night out. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a fun way to get everyone out in a casual environment with some friends and enjoy a good game of hockey,B次元官网网址� he said.
For more about Victoria Special Olympics, visit .
