Hockeyville fever hits O'Leary as NHL stars arrive on P.E.I.
Festivities take place this weekend leading up to an NHL game in Summerside on Monday
Ottawa Senators or the New Jersey Devils: pick your team, P.E.I.
After months of preparation, planning and dreaming, Hockeyville weekend is underway O'Leary, P.E.I., drawing many Islanders to the festivities taking place around the Community Sports Centre.
The Ottawa Senators arrived at the Charlottetown Airport Sunday morning. The New Jersey Devils are set to arrive sometime Sunday afternoon.
Touch down in PEI and straight to work. #KraftHockeyville pic.twitter.com/8IrtMVYq35
—@Senators
We've touched down in PEI! #KraftHockeyville pic.twitter.com/T2Ct6XMlxQ
—@NJDevils
But in the community of O'Leary, in addition to the chance to see NHL stars, there are also potatocostumes, bouncy castles, barbecuing and all-day live music.
"Everybody is excited, kids are just bouncing. It's like Christmas for them," says Della Sweet, a member of the organizing committee for Hockeyville.
"Monday with that game and everything in hand, it's just going to be wild. Someone back in April described it as electric, you can feel that again."
The party has started at the Community Outdoor Festival for #KraftHockeyville Winning Weekend Celebration! @hockeyville pic.twitter.com/4XEPVSaL6P
—@OlearyHockeyvil
Parking lots are filling up as people flock to the field beside the O'Leary rink.
The UPEI women's hockey team is playing an exhibition game against Saint Thomas University, while also hosting a hockey clinic at the rink for atom and peewee children.
Players from the Charlottetown Islanders major-junior hockey team showed up to help kids take partin a skills competition.
Matthew Grouchy and Matthew Welsh of the @IslandersHKY in O'Leary to take part in skills competition for #KraftHockeyville pic.twitter.com/9zwTRHUfzn
—@NicoleatCBC
"It's really exciting. I think it'sgreat for the community, it will bring them closer and grow the game of hockey in O'Leary," saidIslanders goalie Matthew Welsh.
"It's a small community. Everyone knows everyone around here.When you have events like this it brings people much closer," saidIslanders right-winger Matthew Grouchy.
Both Welsh and Grouchy will have the chance to see their teammateFilip Chlapk suit up for the Ottawa Senators tomorrow night.
"We dream of getting to that level [NHL] at one point," said Grouchy.
Jacie-Lynn Rayner, 7, has spent the day smiling ear to ear.
After spending 8 weeks in the IWK Health Centre, she's looking forward to Monday's NHL game. Her tickets for the game were donated to the IWK by JaniceCostellowho wonthem in a draw.
It's getting real now just a few more days till I see my devils play on my home turf. Devils fan since 1988, first NHL game whoop whoop pic.twitter.com/ZjaDMJJQtt
—@jarredmac77
Devils fans are showing their true colours, dressing up their homes, and themselves, in New Jersey gear.
Big @NJDevils fans right across street from the O'Leary Community Sports Centre. #KraftHockeyville #Devils pic.twitter.com/WiOu4qQG8T
—@sroarke_nhl
Former NHL player Colin White visitedO'Leary on Saturday.
The New Glasgow, N.S., native and Stanley Cup champion played 11 seasons with the Devils and one with the San Jose Sharks.
Other NHL alumni are set to make an appearance as well. Summerside nativeand former NHL coachDoug MacLean will be there as well as former Ottawa SenatorPascal Leclaire.
Special thanks to @nhl alumni Colin White for visiting OLeary, PEI for #KraftHockeyville Winning Weekend Celebrations! @NHLPA pic.twitter.com/DhYCvPsgze
—@hockeyville
#KraftHockeyville Winning Weekend Celebration #nhlalumni #stanleycupring #oleary #excitement @hockeyville @GoWestPEI pic.twitter.com/6QcBCmefg9
—@OlearyHockeyvil
Residents of O'Leary are setting up their homes and lawns, expressingHockeyvillepride.
Here we go! Were in OLeary, PEI this whole weekend to celebrate #KraftHockeyville! pic.twitter.com/N34AWRwnKo
—@hockeyville
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