Lightning goaltender Mike Smith headed back to school this past week as part of the MetroPCS sponsored “Take Mike Smith to School” contest aimed at K-8 grades in the Tampa Bay area. Students were able to enter the contest at any of the local MetroPCS stores or at the St. Pete Times Forum during home games.

Samantha Dickuns, a fifth grader, was the lucky winner.  Smith joined Dickuns at Plumb Elementary School in Clearwater, Florida on Friday morning.

Smith started off the morning participating in the morning announcements for the school that are viewed building wide via and in-house television network. He then spent the rest of the morning with Dickuns and her classmates answering questions, taking pictures, and signing autographs.

I only have one question: Where was this contest when I was a kid?

Veteran’s Day is a time set out for us all to remember how fortunate we are for the privileges we often take for granted. It is a day to remember the countless lives that have been lost in the attempt to secure the freedom we were so freely given. And it is a day to show appreciation to all those who have fought and are still with us.

How does one show their appreciation to someone who has made the ultimate sacrifice by risking their life?

On November 10th the Tampa Bay Lightning organization, staying true to their commitment to the community, demonstrated their gratitude by extending a warm invitation to approximately 100 veterans and active duty service members by hosting a luncheon at the St.Pete Times Forum.

After the guests had taken their seats in the Channelside Club dining room, it was to their utmost delight that the table’s empty spots were then filled by members of the Tampa Bay Lightning team. As the two groups joined for a meal, the players listened attentively as they were told stories of life in active duty.

(image courtesy of the Tampa Bay Lightning/THW)

Ryan Malone and Steven Stamkos, two of hockey’s on-ice heroes, listened respectfully and attentively to the tales of true heroics performed by our country’s guardians.

After the meal had completed and the group had been addressed by members of the Lightning organization, the players were not willing to part with their new found friends. The conversation did not let up as players willingly autographed many pieces of memorabilia for their guests.

While the time spent may pale in comparison to the great sacrifice that has been made by our troops, the light-hearted afternoon shared between the two groups will be one of remembrance.

By example the Lightning organization acts as a beacon to how we all can show our appreciation to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, through our time and our respect. A couple autographed jersey’s probably couldn’t hurt.

(image courtesy of the Tampa Bay Lightning/THW)

Goalies Reimer and MacDonald sign autographs for a long line of excited hockey fans (image courtesy of Clayton Hansler/THW)

I remember the moment that I decided hockey was the sport for me. I could not have been more than five or six years old, hand-in-hand with my mother at the local mall. A few players from the OPJHL Newmarket 87′s had shown up to sign autographs and the young forward chuckled, impressed as I presented the sleeve of my coat for him to sign.

The AHL’s Toronto Marlies, in keeping with their dedication to the community, took to the ice Monday night  at the Vic Johnston Community Centre in Streetsville Ontario giving their fans an experience they would not soon forget.

Richard Greenop's line takes a breath and allows teammates to run the drill (image courtesy of Clayton Hansler/THW)

At first it seemed to be all business as the Marlies performed various passing, cycling and shooting drills. But with 15 minutes remaining in the scheduled practice, members of one lucky Streetsville Amateur Minor Hockey Association team took to the ice with their heroes.

The mood turned light, and the smiles spread wide as Marlies passed the puck back-and-forth with hockey’s superstars of the future. It was not long before the atmosphere got the better of both the professional and amateur parties and the horseplay began. Many of Toronto’s Marlies stayed on the ice long after the 15 minute session was up to continue the games of keep-away.

One of those was St. George Ontario’s Adam Munro, currently on his second year as goaltender for the Toronto franchise. “It’s a lot of fun to do it with the kids” says Munro, “You look forward to these things, we’ve done two in the last two weeks and its been a blast.”

Once the Marlies had changed out of their work clothes and packed them away for transport, the players then greeted the large group that had come out for the community practice.

Jiri Tlusty posing for a picture with his new buddy (image courtesy of Clayton Hansler/THW)

Similar to the chance I was awarded many years ago, the players signed autographs and took pictures with the excited hockey fans. Though most were not old enough to apply for a drivers license, they were able to answer some very tough Marlies trivia questions such as: “What was the team name before becoming the Marlies” and “who was the team’s captain their first year in Toronto?”

The fun was shared by more than just the players and devotees. Melissa Keen, the AHL game night host for all Marlies home games at Ricoh Coliseum, relishes the experiences had while joining the team in the community. “It’s great to really see the support, especially from the younger kids who usually don’t get those types of opportunities and can just participate and have fun with these big guys” said the effervescent host.

The trip to Streetsville marked the third community practice event for the Marlies in this fledgling season, with many more to come.

“It’s something to look forward to” said Michael Amaral, a local Marlies enthusiast that is old enough to drive himself to the event. “It’s also cool to see them skating on the ice that I grew up skating on.”

As the smiles of approval and few choice words spoken by a member of a local hockey club helped cultivate a deep love for the game in me at a young age; the fowards, defensemen and goaltenders of the Marlies provided that same experience to hockey’s future players, commentators and spectators.

Join the Marlies on November 21st for their first Marlies in Movember night at Ricoh Coliseum. Many Marlies players and staff will be proudly showing off their Movember ‘stache. $5 of every $20 ticket purchased will be donated to Prostate Cancer Canada. Get your ticket by visiting http://www.torontomarlies.com and entering special offer code: MOVEMBER.