Heartland on Ice

Shaun Johnston, better known as Grandpa Jack on CBC's Heartland, was one of the organizers of a charity hockey game. Along with Rob Kerr, Voice of the Flames on Sportsnet, they hatched the idea to raise funds for the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Calgary. For the last couple of years, the game has been played in Calgary, but with Big Brothers, Big Sisters moving into Okotoks and Heartland being filmed in the area, the decision was made to hold it at the Murray Arena in Okotoks. Rob actually did the play-by-play for the entire game from behind his goalie's mask.
There were many laughs and much excitement as the Heartland Mustangs played the Rob Kerr All-Stars. The Heartland team was made up of members of the crew that work so hard behind the scenes of the popular family show (including incredible goalie Stacey Gooch, transportation captain), but two of the actors were also on the ice: Shaun was Captain and he was joined by Jake Church, whose character on the show is also named Jake (he generated some screams from the girls in the audience). Another member of the team was Nicole Neutzling who earned the pleasure of playing with the Mustangs with her generous donation to the Center Ice Challenge. Nicole's a multi-sport athlete who has traveled the world. The referee, dressed as a dashing young knight, complete with sword, was also a crew member from the Heartland set (the BEST camera dolly grip). On the All-Stars team were some familiar faces and names to hockey fans such as Sheldon Kennedy, Andrew Walker, Colin Patterson and Mike Rogers. Coaches for the teams were three time Olympic Gold Medallist and World Champion Colleen Sostorics for the Mustangs and Peter Maher and Bearcat Murray for the All-Stars.
There were raffles of fantastic prizes and the Puck Toss at intermission. Silver and Gold pucks could be purchased and then at the signal, the puck holders tried to get their puck on centre ice. The winner of the Silver Puck Toss took home an X-Box and the Gold winner received box seat tickets to a Flames Home Game!
The game was entertaining with costumes on the ice (as well as in the audience) and many antics to keep the crowd in stitches. There were rocket skates, an appearance by Santa and Shaun was made to wear a Bumble Bee costume when the All-Stars scored the first goal.
We were joined in the audience by some of the other stars of Heartland: Amber Marshall/Amy and Michelle Morgan/Lou took over the mike at the breaks, while Jessica Amlee /Mallory, Graham Wardle /Ty and Anna Ferguson /Mrs. Bell (without Sugarfoot) cheered on their team.
In the end the All-Stars received the Doug Blackie Memorial Cup, named in honour of film and television’s late and great Props Master and builder, Doug Blackie. It was a fun afternoon for a good cause!