Hockey fans gathered in droves at Prouse Motors today to meet and greet with former Boston Bruins defenceman, multiple record-holder and NHL legend Bobby Orr.
Orr is one of three hockey ambassadors in town this weekend for the annual Chevrolet Safe and Fun Hockey Festival.
He's joined by former captain of the Canadian woman's Olympic hockey team and two-time gold medalist Cassie Campbell as well as Mike Bossy, a four-time Stanley Cup champion with New York Islanders.
Orr began the Safe and Fun Hockey program in 1999 after watching the behaviour of parents and coaches at little league games.
Offering kids between the ages of five and eight years a chance to spend some ice time with one of the NHL's greatest players, the program teaches respect and responsibility, both on and off the ice.
Originally geared strictly towards kids, Orr quickly realized the program would also benefit parents, coaches, fans and officials.
"The message is, it's not about Stanley Cups or gold medals," he said. "Every kid who wants to play should be able to play the game in a safe and fun environment. I think back to my days in minor hockey and they were my fondest memories. Unfortunately for some kids that's not happening."
During two one-hour sets, approximately 85 kids from Sault Ste. Marie and area will learn far more than hockey skills.
The program helps players, parents and coaches learn to have a positive, fostering attitude towards the game and competition in general without placing undue pressure on those involved.
Very few players today actually make it into the NHL and excessive pressure to succeed at the major level removes the fun from the game and destroys a child's passion for it.
"If a kid has been blessed with an ability in the game, if he keeps that level of passion for that game, he'll get a chance," said Orr.
Orr, whose own parents never pushed him into hockey, took summers off from the game to play other sports, including baseball.
"The key to my success was, yes, I was blessed with an ability, but the love and passion I have for the game, that was it," he said. "What we do with our kids today is we suck that [passion] out of them by humiliating them, by beating on them. It happens at the pro level too."
To parents and coaches that put excessive pressure on a child, Orr says: "Don't be a donkey."
For more information about the Chevrolet Safe and Fun Hockey program, click here