Sami Jo Small finished up the Hockey Canada AGM by taking in a classic World Hockey Championship tilt featuring goaltenders Henrik Lundqvist and Evgeni Nabokov(above). (AP)
I just got back from Quebec City where Hockey Canada's AGM was held in conjunction with the Men's World Championships. As the player's rep for the Women's National Team, I have a seat on the Board of Hockey Canada and therefore have to attend their meetings throughout the year culminating with the AGM at the end of the season.
Generally, they're not much to write home about, just long days and lots of policy decisions. But this year was actually fun as we also got to get out of the stuffy board room and watch the Men's World Hockey Championships. What a treat for the outstanding volunteers and staff that make up Hockey Canada. These hard-working volunteers selflessly give their time to over 600,000 people that play this great game in Canada.
La Ville du Quebec was amazing from our central location of the Chateau Frontenac, and what a place that was - but getting to watch a game from the Colisee in Quebec was incredible. Fans from all over the world, with their flags and chants, congregated on Quebec to cheer on their teams. The city was alive!
Almost two hundred volunteers from Hockey Canada and their families took over two sections of the arena looking like proud parents, as they were instrumental in bringing these games to Canada for the IIHF's 100th anniversary.
The second game was really exciting as Sweden took on Russia and I got to watch two of the top goalies in the world battle it out. The game featured Evgeni Nabokov of the Sharks versus Henrik Lundqvist from the Rangers and I was in heaven! The passion and excitement of the arena combined with the incredible athleticism and acrobatic saves of the goalies made me never want the game to end. Too bad Alexander Ovechkin didn't hear me and had to go and score with five seconds left in the game to win it for Russia.
The weekend was a great success, as not only were policy and regulations debated, but the Men's World Championship was being played on Canadian soil for the first time ever!
Also, Hockey Canada had the foresight to plan their AGM around the championships so that the amazing volunteers that work so hard to make our game so great in this country could attend and see the fruits of their labours.