(Logan Lehmann/paNOW)

By Logan Lehmann

Giving back

Northern Bears returning the favour this holiday season

Nov 28, 2024 | 3:00 PM

The Mann-Northway Northern Bears are giving back to the city they call home this Christmas.

The AAA club is donating a great chunk of their time to the community and are holding a series of collections and drives during some of their games ahead of the holidays, with all items being donated to local charities and organizations.

Northern Bears head coach Steve Young said this is something that the team prides itself on.

“We are a team that competes in a provincial league but at the same time, it’s important that we give back to the community. We wanted to let people know and understand that we appreciate everything they do for us and at the same time, we want to be able to do things for the community.”

The Bears held their annual Teddy Bear Toss game earlier this month on Nov. 17, and all the stuffies collected were donated to the children’s ward at the Victoria Hospital on Thursday.

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Additionally, some of the players will be volunteering at the SPCA while the team will also be partaking in Give a Little Life Day, the Community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, floor hockey games with the Special Olympics, and hockey practices with some local Prince Albert Minor Hockey teams.

Young said the team is looking for more ways to help out around town.

“Each year, we try to do more and more. We’re always open to suggestions and those kinds of things, it is a heavy schedule for the girls with their school and practices and hockey and everything. I think for the girls, it helps them and they love to get out there, especially with the minor hockey girls teams.”

Those with suggestions are encouraged to contact the Northern Bears at panorthernbears@gmail.com.

The team is continuing with their holiday initiatives this weekend when they host the league-best Battlefords Sharks for a two-game series. Following game one on Saturday, the Bears are hosting a clothing drive for the YWCA on Sunday and are asking attendees to bring in any winter clothing for those in need. The team is also hosting their annual Alumni Game against Regina on Dec. 21.

Young said this weekend’s series will be nothing short of a battle.

“[The Sharks] started off really good this season and they obviously are a team to beat. We’ve had a bit of a break since our games against Regina and we’ve had some opportunity to regroup so we have to be prepared to work hard and know who we’re playing. It’s a top team and you have to be ready to compete for the whole game.”

Puck drop for the weekend series is set for 1:30 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday at the Art Hauser Centre.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com