Members of the Portage Terriers returned the love that the community shows them by playing ball hockey with local kids.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Plains (BBBS) have teamed up with the Terriers to bring Big Play back for another season. Team members play ball hockey with some of the BBBS waiting list members to get a good workout while interacting with local heroes.
BBBS Executive Director Dawn Froese says the kids look forward to the games for weeks.
"Two of them were here quite early today and anticipating this with a little nervousness," notes Froese. "Next week, there will probably be a few more here early, and they'll be ready to go when they get to know the Terriers."
She adds that BBBS took the kids to a Terrier game before Big Play kicked off, with the kids cheering as they watched their soon-to-be teammates take to the ice.
Among the Terriers that were playing were defencemen Ashton Fishley and Tayem Gislason. Fishley took part in Big Play in its first year and loved it, so he jumped at the chance to do it again.
"It's a great opportunity to work with the kids," says Fishley. "It's awesome to see smiles on their faces."
Gislason says it's an excellent opportunity to be a positive role model in the community.
The ball hockey games will be played every Tuesday for the next seven weeks.