The Yorkton Terriers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League have always been a sort of focal point for the community. In the midst of a Prairie winter we need something to talk about over a cup of hot chocolate, hockey is a favoured Canadian topic and, locally, the Terriers are our team.
We have certainly seen the community support for the team through the years, whether it's a parade for the team following its Royal Bank Cup run in 2006, or in purchasing lotto tickets, or supporting the team's recent Seed to Score project.
But it is a two-way street in terms of support.
The Terriers give back to the community in more than just exciting hockey to watch.
Sunday evening was an example of that.
With the holiday season fast-approaching, the ice of the Farrell Agencies Arena ended up nearly covered in Teddy Bears and assorted other plush critters, all thrown onto the ice after the Terriers scored their first goal against Flin Flon.
The event was the Second Annual Teddy Bear Toss hosted by the SJHL team. The Teddy Bears will be donated to the Salvation Army's Christmas Cheer Program.
It was an example of the team providing the avenue for fans to get into the spirit of giving by supporting the good efforts of the Salvation Army.
The Teddy Bear Toss is only the latest of a rather long list of community-minded activities the Terriers have initiated over the last number of years.
Fans will remember the team in pink jerseys, which were later sold, as a way to raise both awareness and funds for the ongoing fight against breast cancer.
The Terriers have also been involved in game promotions in support of Canada's Armed Forces.
Fans have also been asked on occasion to arrive at games with non-perishable food items to help stock food bank shelves as the Terriers recognize there are those in our community who occasionally need some added help to keep food on the table.
The executive and players both recognize there are programs worthy of added support in the city.
And it goes beyond promotions tied to games, which often help the team by attracting fans to the games.
Yorkton Terrier players have a proud record of volunteering in the city as well. Through the years, Terrier players have showed up at minor hockey practices to help out, have visited schools in the city to read to young students, have become involved in the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program, walked in numerous walk-a-thons, and carved Halloween pumpkins with the Boys and Girls Club.
It is great to see these young men willing to give of their free time to bring smiles to the faces of young people in our city.
We may often see the Junior Terriers as just a hockey team, one where we measure their success on the wins and losses they manage on the ice, but they are truly much more.
The team has become an important part of Yorkton in many ways, including their willingness to give back to our community.
