Thunder Bay 'Hometown Hockey' event in need of more help

Organizers of the Hometown Hockey event that's taking place at Thunder Bay's waterfront in early January say they need a few more helping hands.

The hockey tour is presented by Rogers Communications, and the company is looking to hire about 40 people to work at the Thunder Bay stop on Jan. 2 and 3, 2016.

Monica Murphy, a junior recruiter with a marketing company in Toronto, said they're looking for enthusiastic people who want to help make the event fun for everyone.

"Obviously it's a huge asset if people are huge fans and know how to play, because there is that interactive hockey area," she said. "But it's more of an asset, not something that's mandatory."

The event features appearances by former NHL and senior hockey players, as well as a variety of activities, including interactive experiences, pick-up ball hockey games, and fireworks, all leading up to a public viewing of the featured Sunday evening NHL game between the Ottawa Senators and Chicago Blackhawks.

A live pre-game show will be co-hosted by Tara Sloan and Hockey Night In Canada icon Ron MacLean from the waterfront.

Not all the positions that organizers are trying to fill revolve around hockey, Murphy said, adding that people will also be tasked with things like handing out promotional materials and working with mascots.

"There will be a whole bunch of different activities," she said. "NHL alumni does meet and greets. So, there's an area where staff will assist in handing out goodie bags and signing in people to meet the NHL alumni."

The 40 paid positions which come with a $16 an hour paycheck are on top of the 30 volunteers that the city has already found to help run the two-day celebration.

CBC Thunder Bay will also have feature interviews on Superior Morning leading up to the event with Diane Imrie from the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, and Tara Sloan, the co-host of Hometown Hockey.