Last week, students at Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) had a book read to them by Fort Saskatchewan's own Rhett Melnyk.
A former Fort Sask Ranger, Melnyk now serves as captain of the Edmonton Oil Kings. Last Wednesday (Mar. 15) he read a story to the kids.
"One of my old teachers back from Win Fergusen reached out to me, and she asked if I'd like to read to some of her classes," said Melnyk. "She taught me back in Grades 3 and 6, so it seemed like a cool opportunity."
Melnyk decided on the book 'The Pigeon Needs a Bath!' to read for the students.
"It's about these pigeons sitting on an electrical pole. It was fun."
Although Melnyk had read to students before while playing for different teams, this was his first time reading to students as an Oil King.
"It's super cool, growing up in Fort Saskatchewan I really looked up to the Oil Kings," said Melnyk. "I think I came back to my seven-year-old self. I think it's something pretty cool. I can't imagine what they were thinking."
Melnyk was asked to read to the kids as part of EIPS' reading week, which also included a story from Olympic gold medalist, and pride of Bruderheim, Emerance Maschmeyer.