Two things come to mind when it comes to Boxing Day.
Hockey and shopping. I’m not really a big shopper, but when it comes to that day, who doesn’t like a great deal. Growing up in Castlegar, Pete’s TV (now known as Andre’s Electronic Experts) was the place to go to for your music or home electronic needs or desires. The lineups were insane as the store was packed and people were lined up outside waiting to get in. It was like waiting to get into a nightclub, but without the bouncers. The nice thing for my sister and I was we never had to try and find a parking spot. The stores was located about a three minute walk from our house.
When I decided to write this, one question popped into my mind, why is that day called Boxing Day? Have you ever thought about that?
Boxing Day is celebrated in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth nations and servants and tradesmen received gifts known as a “Christmas box” from their masters, employers or customers as thanks for good service.
In the U.K., Canada, Australia and New Zealand, it is known as a shopping holiday similar to Black Friday.
In the sporting world many games take place. Hockey nuts know it as the day the puck drops on the International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Junior Championship for the under-20 age group. The Spengler Cup also kicks off. My attention goes to WJC on that day.
I can’t recall what year I first watched the tournament, but I have always loved watching it. Fans will have their own moments as their favourites. One that stands out to me was in 1991 when John Slaney slapped home the game-winning goal from the point in the gold medal game against Russia.
Depending on who the host country was, I disliked the idea of having to get up super early to watch Canada play, but I still did it. I also didn’t like missing games when we had to return to school. Now a thing called work gets in the way.
Each year at this time I get my Team Canada sweaters ready. The year the event was co-hosted by Edmonton and Calgary, my wife and I bought the 30th anniversary commemorative jerseys since we were going to Calgary. They are pretty sweet threads. I can’t wear mine anymore after getting them signed by Russ Courtnall, Curtis Brown and Trevor Kidd, who were signing memorabilia at the Molson House.
It doesn’t matter which players end up representing our nation on this grand stage, you automatically feel attached to the team. There is pride. I can only imagine what that will be like this year for Penticton Vees fans with Tyson Jost and Dante Fabbro playing. Seeing players you know in the tournament is like putting the cherry on top. It will be cool to see what Jost and Fabbro do.
If you’re a fan of the Tampa Bay Lighting, they have five prospects on Team Canada. Being a Canucks fan, I’ll be curious to see how Olli Joulevi, named captain of the Finnish team, performs. Another Canucks prospect in the tournament is Lukáš Jašek of Czech Republic.
I want to wrap up by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. And one last thing. Go Canada Go!
Emanuel Sequeira is the sports editor of the Penticton Western News.
Two things come to mind when it comes to Boxing Day.
Hockey and shopping. I’m not really a big shopper, but when it comes to that day, who doesn’t like a great deal. Growing up in Castlegar, Pete’s TV (now known as Andre’s Electronic Experts) was the place to go to for your music or home electronic needs or desires. The lineups were insane as the store was packed and people were lined up outside waiting to get in. It was like waiting to get into a nightclub, but without the bouncers. The nice thing for my sister and I was we never had to try and find a parking spot. The stores was located about a three minute walk from our house.
When I decided to write this, one question popped into my mind, why is that day called Boxing Day? Have you ever thought about that?
Boxing Day is celebrated in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth nations and servants and tradesmen received gifts known as a “Christmas box” from their masters, employers or customers as thanks for good service.
In the U.K., Canada, Australia and New Zealand, it is known as a shopping holiday similar to Black Friday.
In the sporting world many games take place. Hockey nuts know it as the day the puck drops on the International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Junior Championship for the under-20 age group. The Spengler Cup also kicks off. My attention goes to WJC on that day.
I can’t recall what year I first watched the tournament, but I have always loved watching it. Fans will have their own moments as their favourites. One that stands out to me was in 1991 when John Slaney slapped home the game-winning goal from the point in the gold medal game against Russia.
Depending on who the host country was, I disliked the idea of having to get up super early to watch Canada play, but I still did it. I also didn’t like missing games when we had to return to school. Now a thing called work gets in the way.
Each year at this time I get my Team Canada sweaters ready. The year the event was co-hosted by Edmonton and Calgary, my wife and I bought the 30th anniversary commemorative jerseys since we were going to Calgary. They are pretty sweet threads. I can’t wear mine anymore after getting them signed by Russ Courtnall, Curtis Brown and Trevor Kidd, who were signing memorabilia at the Molson House.
It doesn’t matter which players end up representing our nation on this grand stage, you automatically feel attached to the team. There is pride. I can only imagine what that will be like this year for Penticton Vees fans with Tyson Jost and Dante Fabbro playing. Seeing players you know in the tournament is like putting the cherry on top. It will be cool to see what Jost and Fabbro do.
If you’re a fan of the Tampa Bay Lighting, they have five prospects on Team Canada. Being a Canucks fan, I’ll be curious to see how Olli Joulevi, named captain of the Finnish team, performs. Another Canucks prospect in the tournament is Lukáš Jašek of Czech Republic.
I want to wrap up by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. And one last thing. Go Canada Go!
Emanuel Sequeira is the sports editor of the Penticton Western News.
Follow Western News Sports editor Emanuel Sequeira on Twitter @pentictonsports.