Post ideas enter my inbox every morning, like lines of commuters ascending SkyTrain station escalators during rush hour. Sometimes there’s an event listing, charity campaign, or concert listing. However on occasion, an email contains a short, sweet, touching human interest story — in this case, it’s about a tractor in a Kootenay region town.

The Flood is a two-minute short documentary that has been posted online to pay tribute to the city of Rossland’s beloved 1972 Ford 3000 tractor. Yes, a tractor. Its job for the last 40 years has been to resurface the local ice rink, serving as a Zamboni. Over the course of its 80,000 scrapes, it became a fixture of the community. Quirky and unique, it was the subject of many fan photographs and childhood memories.

Upon hearing that the machine was set to retire, filmmaker Scott Carlson decided to shoot The Flood to pay homage to the tractor he’d observed on the rink since he was young.

When the video was posted, it went viral. I’m told that Scott received hundreds of personal responses while the view counter online reached 37,000 in just a few days. Farmers, car enthusiasts, plant workers, and more were contacting Scott to thank him for the inspiration. As a result, this star was not retired after all. It takes longer, it’s not as shiny and new, but it gets the job done. When it comes to hockey in this country we get nostalgic over the strangest things, but that’s just what Canadians do.

As a side note, I recognized the score of the clip right away. It’s from Field of Dreams — a movie, and another sport, very close to my heart.

Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada will be live from Prince Edward Island on the CBC February 11, 2012. Starting at 11:00am, the Edmonton Oilers will face the Ottawa Senators, the Jets will play the Penguins, the Habs will fight the Leafs, and the Vancouver Canucks will face-off with the Calgary Flames at 7:00pm.

Photo credit: John Biehler on Flickr

Last year I sent John Biehler up to cover Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada in Whitehorse and between the banquet, concerts, alumni, and outdoor activities, I think he had a pretty great time. Aside from the Canadian match-ups, there will be satellite events across the country to celebrate hockey. These include festivities in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan; Windsor, Nova Scotia; Montreal, Quebec; Thunder Bay, Ontario; Winnipeg, Manitoba; and Richmond, BC. Each event is hosted by a CBC personality and will focus on community hockey, organizations, and initiatives.

Photo credit: John Biehler on Flickr

Around here, the Richmond Olympic Oval will be the place to be. They’ll have free admission, an NHL Hall of Fame exhibit, NHL trophies, games, live entertainment, and a chance to meet the Canucks’ mascot Fin along with Trevor Linden. There will also be giants screens to watch the CBC games, a day-long hockey jamboree on twin Olympic-sized ice sheets, a public road hockey tournament, hockey skills zone, and prize giveaways including a trip to Japan.

Mark this down in your calendar as a fun, free day in Richmond with the hockey lovers in your family. Catch all the Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada action at the oval from 10:30am to 10:00pm on February 11th.

Update February 7, 2012: I have been offered 3 prize packs to give away to readers in honour of Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada. The prize packs include a Scotiabank Hockey Club bag, jersey, water bottle, puck, toque, scarf and mitts. Here’s how you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment naming your favourite Canadian hockey player of all time (1 entry)
• Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)

I will draw 3 winners tomorrow, Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 12:00pm so we can try to get the prize packs out before the weekend.

Update The winners are Val, Brandon, and @ksceviour!

It was January 5, 1912 when the first professional hockey game was played in Vancouver at the Denman Arena¹. The impressive venue (one of the world’s largest) was built in 1911 thanks to the hard work (and family lumber money) of brothers Frank and Lester Patrick.

Source: The Story of the Vancouver Millionaires. Photographer: Unknown.

In 1911, the Patrick family sold it’s profitable lumber company, and moved out west to capitalize on an exploding hockey scene ready to be mined for gold. Not long after setting up shop out west, the Patricks endeavored, not only to build a strong hockey club, but also to prop up the entire hockey scene, building leagues and arenas, which they would manage along with the respective clubs that they would own. – The Story of the Vancouver Millionaires

(Left) 1920′s Art Duncan, D – Millionaires. VPL Accession Number: 17979.
(Right) 1920′s Lloyd Cook, D – Millionaires Team Captain. VPL Accession Number: 17991.
Photographer: Stuart Thomson.

In the January 5th match up, the Pacific Coast Hockey League’s Vancouver Millionaires beat the New Westminster Royals 8-3. The Victoria Senators were the only other team in the league at the time.

View of Vancouver (and Denman Arena) from the Rowing Club, 1929.
Archives item# CVA 99-2080. Photographer: Stuart Thomson.

View of Vancouver from the Rowing Club in Stanley Park, 2009

The Patrick brothers changed the game of hockey as we know it and while Denman Arena was destroyed by fire in 1936, it’s fairly safe to say that a hockey-loving legacy has gripped this town since that first professional game, one hundred years ago today.

¹Chuck Davis’ History of Metropolitan Vancouver

SunLife Financial is providing the opportunity for fans young and old to skate with Vancouver Canucks (current and alumni) at Rogers Arena on January 14, 2012 — but you have to win your way in.

I’ve had the chance to skate at Rogers Arena, and even walk around a bit on the ice to film a promotional spot, but I’ve never skated with team members – how great would that be? You can win one of 25 spots through the Canucks contest and they have also saved room for one lucky Miss604 reader and up to three of their friends or family members. Here’s how you can enter to win a spot on the ice:

• Leave a comment on this post naming your favourite moment as a Canucks fan (1 entry)
• Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)

The Skate with the Canucks event takes place January 14th from 7:00pm to 8:15pm at Rogers Arena. Participants will be required to bring their own gear (rentals not available) and sign a release waiver before stepping onto the ice. I will draw one winner at 9:00am on December 28, 2011.

Official rules, except for dates that are exclusive to the Miss604 contest, may be found on the Canucks contest page. At least one member of the 2011-2012 Vancouver Canucks and Canucks Alumni will be on the ice at the event.

Update The winner is Amber!

The Vancouver Giants have released a video of their annual Teddy Bear Toss on YouTube and they’ve issued a very worthy challenge. Should the video reach 50,000 views by December 25th, the Giants and White Spot will donate $10,000 to The Province Empty Stocking Fund and the CKNW Orphans’ Fund.

Miss604 has been a proud supporter of the Vancouver Giants Teddy Bear Toss for the last four years and one of my readers was able to take part last Thursday. Please view this video and share it on Twitter and Facebook. These are two great causes that provide assistance to children and families in our community. Supporting them this season is as easy as hitting “play”.

The Vancouver Giants have been having a pretty good season so far, sitting at the top of the BC Division with a record of 17-9-1. While they’re on a road trip through the prairies right now, they’ll be returning home to the Pacific Coliseum for the annual Teddy Bear Toss on Friday, December 9th.

Bring a new, unwrapped plush bear to the game (or purchase one on the concourse) and when the giants score their first goal of the night, toss them on the ice. It’s quite the spectacle — and celebration. All of the teddy bears will be donated to local children’s charities in time for Christmas including the CKNW Orphan’s Fund, The Province Empty Stocking Fund, and Lower Mainland Christmas Bureaus.

If you would like to catch this Giants game against the Portland Winterhawks I have two tickets up for grabs. I will also supply the winner with a teddy bear to toss on the ice. Here’s how you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment here naming a Vancouver Giants player (past or present) (1 entry)
• Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)

I will draw one winner at 10:00am on Tuesday, December 6, 2011.

Update The winner is Carly!

Update The Giants have put together this Teddy Bear Toss video.

If it reaches 50,000 views by December 25, 2011, the Giants and White Spot will donate $10,000 to The Province Empty Stocking Fund and the CKNW Orphans’ Fund.

PepsiCo Canada and Canucks Sports & Entertainment have teamed up this year with Pepsi having the official beverage and food agreement with Rogers Arena.

Image courtesy of PepsiCo Canada

The Canucks For Kids Fund benefited immediately from this contract as PepsiCo Canada donated $10,000 to the cause along with a pair of Canucks home game tickets to the Canucks Centre for BC Hockey.

To celebrate this partnership, I have been given a giant prize basket to give away to one of my readers, perfect for a night of watching the Canucks from the comfort of your living room. The basket includes: A supply of Lay’s Potato Chips, Lay’s/Canucks branded t-shirt, Lay’s/Canucks branded hat, Vancouver Canucks Coasters, Lay’s hockey puck, Pepsi branded t-shirt, Pepsi branded drinking cup, Pepsi branded hand clapper.

Here’s how you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment naming your favourite game-time snack (1 entry)
• Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)

I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 9:00am on Friday, October 21, 2011. I will be personally delivering the prize to the winner since I would have no idea how to mail it out – it’s just that big.

Update The winner is Brenda!

I first met Joey Kenward at the Pacific Coliseum four years ago when he was the voice of the Vancouver Giants. John set up the radio broadcast and Joey did production, the play-by-play, ran down to the locker rooms to do interviews between periods, then ran back up to the press box to call the rest of the game. Seeing how hard he continue to work for his career (and sports in this town) makes it rather fitting that he’s doing the Heart of a Canuck segments now for the Vancouver Canucks.

Joey Kenward in the WhitecapsFC’s press row. Photo credit: John Bollwitt on Flickr

This summer Joey went out from behind the microphone and stepped in front of the camera. He attends practices, travels with the team, does interviews, provides commentary, and still finds time to fill in the radio play-by-play timeslot here and there. “I get to fill the viewers in on what happens to the team on a day-to-day basis and what’s happening with the team when we don’t see them at a rink,” Joey told me during a call I had with him this week. “Most people only see these guys as athletes. Now, we get to have a very ‘behind the scenes’ look at who these individuals are and see what got them to where they are.”

One of Joey’s first tasks when he signed on with the Canucks was to film the Heart of a Canuck segments with players as they visited their hometowns. The segments focused on a few core players who are North America-based. “It was really cool to walk around the former neighbourhood with the player, walk into their old rink where they laced ‘em up as a kid, and see the expressions on their faces as they talked about their past,” Joey said, reflecting on his visits to Smithers with Dan Hamhuis and Montreal with Alex Burrows.

The hometown visits will be broadcast during games throughout the season and you will probably be able to catch them on CanucksTV (on YouTube) once they air.

As for Joey, he is about to head out on the road with the team until they return to play the Rangers on October 18th.

He told me that the most recent filming they did was in the car with Daniel Sedin as he dropped his daughter off at school then headed to the rink. “What’s the player thinking about when he’s driving into work? What music does he listen to? What are some of the things they think about? It’s a chance for the viewer [and fan] to see the players outside of the rink environment.”

Photo credit: John Bollwitt on Flickr

From our talk I gathered that Joey was pretty much settling into his dream job – and who could blame him. He’s come a long way since he did colour commentary in Kelowna or play-by-play for the Swift Current Broncos. “I’ve been very lucky and very privileged to have been given the opportunities I’ve had. Now I get more experience in front of the camera and this is a great chance to do what I love doing.”

A full 2:54 minute preview of this season’s Heart of a Canuck theme is now up on CanucksTV.

The Vancouver Canucks hit the ice at Rogers Arena tonight to officially begin their 2011-2012 season as they take on the Pittsburgh Penguins. With the events of June behind us, members of the Canucks Nation are looking straight ahead, and moving on. If you’re preparing yourself for another season of hockey with heart, here’s a quick guide to help you take in all the action.

The Team

We have a few new faces on the Canucks roster this season. Andrew Ebbett, Marco Sturm, Mark Mancari, Steven Pinizzotto, Alexander Sulzer, and Dale Weise [see a full list in the NucksMisconduct season preview].

Where to Watch

For most people, it’s a toss up between their living room and Rogers Arena for the best fan experience. However, there are some great dine-out options in Vancouver during the game. Many local pubs and restaurants have stepped up their audio and visuals (flat screens, house sound system, etc.) for games and you can’t beat the deals they offer on game days.

The Canucks officially partner with the following during the season: Beyond Restaurant + Lounge (on Burrard), Boston Pizza (over 30 locations in the Lower Mainland alone), The Hurricane Grill (1137 Marinaside in Yaletown), Verace Pizzeria Napoletana (189 Keefer, 1 block from Rogers Arena), The Keg (14 locations in the Vancouver area), and Vera’s Burger Shack (14 Lower Mainland locations).

How to Listen

Can’t get near a television? Tune into TEAM 1040AM to listen to the broadcasts, check out the live stream, and download the Bell Media radio app if you’re on the go.

Blogs

My favourite Canucks bloggers are ready to go this year. Read and subscribe to NucksMisconduct, Canucks Hockey Blog, and Canucks Corner for the best analysis and information. I’m also going to check out Canucks Army and Head to the Net this season.

Apps & Social

Download the Canucks iPhone application for schedules, scores, player biographies and instant updates. Follow @VanCanucks on Twitter and the #Canucks tag. There aren’t many players on Twitter but you’ll find @Ryan_Kesler talking to @KBieksa3 quite a bit.

If you’re using GetGlue (which is like Foursquare but for television and movies) you can check into Hockey Night in Canada and earn team stickers.

Chicago Wolves

Don’t forget that the Canucks’ AHL affiliate team is the Chicago Wolves. Check them out on Twitter and Facebook.

Special Events

The first open practice of the season is this Saturday, October 8, 2011. Stay tuned later in the season for Super Skills information. October 18th will also be designated Rick Rypien night at Rogers Arena and the players will be wearing tributes to #37 on their helmets all season [source: Canucks Hockey Blog].

Getting There

With BC Place open once again, and a few conflicting game nights, parking near the arena might not be an option. Your best bet is to try transit and if you’re coming from the South or East, you can even park & ride at a Canada Line station (like at Bridgeport). Walk over to the Vancouver City Centre, Yaletown Roundhouse, or Waterfront stations after the game and meet up with your car outside of the city (or take it all the way home, combined with a bus if need be).

Here’s to another great season of hockey. Cheers to everyone who has the Heart of a Canuck. Go Canucks Go!

The riot in June was voted Vancouver’s “Claim to Shame” in yesterday’s Best of Vancouver issue of the Georgia Straight but many believe the 11,000 volunteers who hit the streets in the morning to clean up our city should be our new claim to fame.

Photo credit: PiscesDremer on Flickr

People from all over the Lower Mainland converged on downtown streets at the break of dawn with brooms and garbage cans. They took the train from Burnaby and Surrey, and they came out from their hotels in their Bruins jerseys. The theme was clear: Real Canucks fans don’t riot.

Cleanup photos submitted to me by my friend Natalie Binns (right)

Photo credit: Jay Piddy, Clayton Perry Photoworks on Flickr

Photo credit: Maurice Li, Maurice Li submitted to the Miss604 Flickr Pool

Vancouverites care about their city and the Vancouver Canucks recognize that with their latest “Heart of a Canuck” campaign.

During the pre-season they have been inviting emergency personnel to games and for October 1st they have reserved 200 seats in Rogers Arena for cleanup volunteers.

Vancouver’s final pre-season game on October 1st is reserved to recognize the volunteers who initiated the clean-up efforts in downtown Vancouver the day after the riots. For this we are looking to give away 100 pairs of tickets to those who participated and made a world of difference.

If you assisted in making downtown Vancouver beautiful again, please share your experience in 100 words or less and attach a photo of you pitching in from June 16th’s clean-up.

They are currently accepting entries until Monday, September 26, 2011. Submit your story and/or photo online before that time to be entered into the draw.