On Friday March 24th the Canucks Centre for BC Hockey held its second Canucks First Strides initiation program. The First Strides Initiation program is designed to give BC Hockey Initiation players and parents an opportunity to visit General Motors Place and skate where their hero's play. The emphasis of the program is to provide a positive experience for 72 BC minor hockey players aged 8 and under while visiting General Motors Place to improve on their hockey skills and make new friends.

Special guests Vancouver Canucks defenceman, Sami Salo with Canucks Alumni Kirk McLean and Dean Malkoc worked with the young players while they practiced their skating, shooting and passing. Once again Vancouver Canucks mascot, Fin, joined in the festivities. He provided the usual amusing antics that we have grown accustom to love and laugh at.

Excited parents, watching from the stands, cheered their children as they took to the ice. They eagerly viewed their young sons and daughters practice drills with Sami, Kirk, Dean and Fin.

The Canucks Centre for BC Hockey would like to extend a special thanks to BC Hockey course conductors Pasco Valana, Mark Robitaille, Bill Tzetzos and Doug Bodner who worked alongside minor hockey coaches TJ Sander, James Dayson, Denis Sander and Ian Kirkness. The event would not have been possible without the help and dedication from the above mentioned minor hockey coaches.

Thanks again to everyone who attended the Canucks First Strides Initiation program.

For more information on this and other minor hockey programs please visit, Canucks.com/hockeydevelopment or BCAHA.org or call the Canucks Centre for BC Hockey @ 604 899 7770.