There were some emotional moments as Ridge Meadows Minor Ball Hockey celebrated a new season on Friday, as the sports group honoured Danielle Linfoot, the Pitt Meadows mother who suffered amputations to all of her limbs, and also ended its annual opening night festivities with a moment of silence for victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash.
There was lots of emphasis on fun, with coaches in a dunk tank, zombie shooting and other games. There was the annual parade of champions for teams and players with accomplishments that included national team selection.
And then Linfoot, whose son Brody is a player in the association, conducted the ceremonial first faceoff of the season.
Linfoot survived an attack of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. A strep infection entered her blood stream in January of 2017, and the damage to her tissues was traumatic. Both hands and feet were taken in amputations by the end of April last year.
“Tonight is all about the kids, and a moment for Danielle,” said president of the association Tim Mckenzie. “This to me is the epitome of why we get involved in sports – for the kids, and to see families coming out.”
He said Linfoot is an inspirational figure, and the association has done fundraising for her.
“We’re really putting some focus on a family that needs support, and she still needs that support, and we’re happy to be part of that.”
Ball hockey in Ridge Meadows has almost 900 athletes playing this year, and the first-year president is impressed with the level of organization in the association.
“We’re like a fine-tuned machine. Once we’re up and running, it runs itself,” said Mckenzie. “We have a lot of amazing volunteers who come out and be part of this.”