Rogers Hometown Hockey arrives in Ancaster this weekend

Weekend of free outdoor hockey festivities and outdoor viewing party of an NHL game hosted live by Sportsnet’s Ron MacLean and Tara Slone

HAMILTON, ON – The media and general public are invited to attend a variety of activities this weekend at the Rogers Hometown Hockey tour stop at the Morgan Firestone Arena in Ancaster on Saturday, January 18, 2020 through Sunday, January 19. Back for its 6th season, Mayor Fred Eisenberger and Ward Councillor Lloyd Ferguson are pleased to welcome hosts Ron MacLean and Tara Slone for the festivities, as well as NHL alumni Shayne Corson, Steve Thomas and Marty McSorley who will be on hand for autographs. Also on hand will be Hamilton’s own Sarah Nurse, Olympian and member of the Women’s National Ice Hockey Team. This year’s ultimate NHL fan experience will include all new hockey-themed experiences, interactive games, food and entertainment while putting a spotlight on local NHL players and grassroots stories of community heroes. The weekend’s festivities will wrap up with an outdoor viewing party of an NHL game broadcast live from the Sportsnet Mobile Studio.

Rogers and the National Hockey League (NHL) are also excited to provide grants covering the installation of an innovative, multi-use sport net for Hamilton. With an aim towards promoting healthy and active lifestyles, this unique system enhances community spaces, transforming a single-purpose basketball net into a multi-sport structure, while also reducing costs and barriers so families can play sports year-round.

Rogers Hometown Hockey event and broadcast details

Location: Morgan Firestone Arena, 385 Jerseyville Rd, Ancaster, Ontario

Event Itinerary

• Thursday, January 15: Ancaster H.S. will be hosting a couple of games at Morgan Firestone Arena on Thursday afternoon. There will be a girl’s regular season game at 12:15 pm; a staff/student scrimmage and skills competition, and a boy’s exhibition game at 1:30 p.m. All games will be against Dundas Valley High school. Representatives from Rogers Hometown Hockey will be on hand to help with puck drops, mascots and other fun on-site activities.
• Friday, January 17:
  • Hosts Ron MacLean and Tara Slone will be available for phone interviews on Friday morning in advance of the festival weekend.
  • 10:30 am: Rogers Master of Ceremonies Kyle Buttenham; RHH Mascots; National Women's ice Hockey Team Members Laura Fortino and Sarah Nurse; and the Steve Goodtime Rockin' Hockey Show will visit Frank Panabaker Elementary School. This event is open to the media.
• Saturday, January 18:
  • ​The two-day hockey festival officially kicks off at noon and runs to 6 p.m. Media and the public won’t want to miss some of the exciting things happening!
• Sunday, January 19:
  • ​Day two of the festival opens at noon and concludes following the Rogers Hometown Hockey outdoor viewing party. Mayor Fred Eisenberger and Ward Councillor Lloyd Ferguson will be in attendance on Sunday.
  • Hometown Hockey Thank-You Presentation - Mayor Fred Eisenberger will bring greetings and Rogers will present Hamilton’s Mayor with a thank you gift for being a host city. Ward Councillor Lloyd Ferguson will also be in attendance. This event is open to the public and local media.
    Time: 12:55 pm to 1:15 pm
    Location: Main Festival Stage, Ancaster Community Centre, 385 Jerseyville Rd W, Ancaster, Ontario L9G 3L5

Rogers Hometown Hockey festival details

The free hockey-themed weekend features games, prize giveaways, fun activities, and live local entertainment for the whole family, including:

• Rogers Fan Hub: Celebrate more of the game that brings us together with fun and interactive hockey experiences. Fill out your Fan Profile for a chance to win exclusive Rogers Moments, enjoy autograph signings with NHL alumni Shayne Corson, Steve Thomas and Marty McSorley. Test your stickhandling with the Infinite Dangles challenge, and grab some free popcorn!
• Scotiabank Community Hockey Rink: A family-friendly outdoor hockey space designed to engage hockey fans and celebrate the game. Scotiabank will also be donating $15,000 to local minor hockey associations in the surrounding area at each tour stop this season.
• Hyundai Hockey Drivers - In conversation with Bonnie Marner: Hockey supporters young and old can join in the discussion taking place on the main stage in Hamilton. The conversation will feature pro-hockey mom Bonnie Marner who will share her advice and first-hand experiences on hockey culture and raising a child with a love for the sport. Other Hyundai displays on festival grounds will feature games and challenges for families, opportunities to test-drive the entire range of Hyundai SUVs, and a chance to win great prizes.
• Sportsnet Shooting Accuracy Game: Fans race against the clock to snipe as many targets as possible before time runs out! A digital scoreboard tracks the best scores from the day, and from the other Tour stops across the country. Players of all ages can show off their hockey skills and see how they match up to NHL stars and alumni with fantastic prizes to be won!
• Steve Goodtime Rockin’ Hockey Show: Come see Steve Goodtime, our world-renowned hockey acrobat! Steve performs his incredible family-friendly rock n’ roll hockey show packed with fire, juggling, stunts, and guitar solos.
• Dr. Oetker Giuseppe Pizzeria: Fans can enjoy a complimentary slice of Giuseppe Pizzeria pizza fresh out of the oven and learn more about the Find Giuseppe contest with many great prizes to be won!
• Playmobil Kids Zone: Fans have the chance to face off against friends and family with the PLAYMOBIL NHL Arena and its lineup of NHL figures. In the zone, fans will also be able to enter to win an NHL playset.
• Sobeys Community Barbeque: Sobeys is proud to support the Community Barbeque through a food donation. All funds raised this weekend will go towards supporting the Ancaster Minor Hockey Association. There will also be free samples from Dr. Oetker pizza and Mary Browns chicken, as well as free popcorn available in the Roger's Fan Hub.
• Live Local Entertainment: Live music featured throughout the weekend beginning with Hamilton's Brad James performing on Saturday followed by Big Lonely on Sunday.

Learn more about the Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour ...