The Flames ice hockey club in Alexandra is excited to welcome the international team ‘The Canadian Moose’ tomorrow. They will promote the sport, play matches and provide training for the teams in their age group.

Flames chairman Trevor Lawrence said the Moose were a travelling team that came to New Zealand once every few years.

“I can remember them being here when I first came here 20 years ago… (and) their recent visit and game in Canterbury was watched by about 700 people.”

The team and their entourage of approximately 40 people visit a local elementary school and then coach Flames under-12, under-15 and under-18 players before playing matches against the Flames men’s and women’s teams.

Trevor said the BBQ would be on, admission to IceInline would be free for spectators and the main event would be the two games against the Flames adult teams on Wednesday night.

Alexandra’s recently formed women’s team will play at 7:15 p.m., with the senior men’s match following at 8:20 p.m.

Trevor said the season would likely extend until the end of August thanks to the new roof over the community building.

“We will celebrate the new roof with a Winter Classic Tournament for adult teams on August 9, 10 and 11.

“We also have another team coming to visit, ‘The Goons’ from Auckland, so we would love for the community to come out and support and watch the hockey.”

The club recently held a Southern Ice Hockey League tournament for under 12s. Three teams, a total of 27 children from Alexandra, competed on July 27 against teams from Queenstown, Dunedin, Mackenzie and Gore.

Alexandra welcomed 120 promising players from the Southern District, who gathered in the clubrooms for a briefing. PHOTO: Trevor Lawrence

“All upcoming events are listed online in the calendar and we invite new players to take up the sport.”

Read more: Women’s ice hockey starts in Alexandra