My local cable system gave us a free week of NHL Center Ice. Last Saturday night I thought I would take a break from all the SuperBowl coverage. I decided to tuned in to watch Ottawa Senators at the Toronto Maple Leafs. More important than the game was a chance to see some old friends. I was excited to learn that this would be the Hockey Night in Canada feed. Which included the pre-game show hosted by Ron MacLean, and the always colorful coach Don Cherry. Before I moved a few years back this was required viewing on Saturday night thanks to my roof top antenna.

Yes, my life was that boring back than. I also didn’t have any money either. So not only could I not afford cable, but could not afford to go out on Saturday nights. So I stayed home and watched hockey on TV. Now I can afford cable, but my life is still just as boring. I’m still home on Saturday nights watching hockey games.

Anyway, the broadcast started with MacLean, but no Cherry. He was at the Air Canada Center. I was a little disappointed until I found out why. It was military night. Cherry appeared with about ten members of the Canada’s armed forces. Coach Cherry then gave up his mike. (I know that’s hard to believe, but he did.) He passed it around giving these brave man and women a chance to introduce themselves, and say hello to their families. Then Cherry thanked 200 season ticket holders who gave up their seats for the troops.

From there the action switched to the ice for a special ceremony. First four military men lowered themselves from the rafters on ropes. I could have done without the music. The theme to the Mission Impossible. Not from the TV show. That would have been okay. But they used the one from all those terrible Tom Cruise movies. Still, seeing something like this happening live instead of in a movie was really cool. Then the Senators and Maple Leafs stood on the blue lines while four members of the military were introduced. The final one being a general who was handed a puck. He was to do the honors for the ceremonial face off.

After the captains of the two teams skated to center ice the general stepped forward. The general pause for a second. He looked like a thought had just crossed he mind. The general then turned and had the three other soldiers introduced with him come forward. The general then had them all grab his arm so they could be included. This was great because being the highest ranking member there it would have been easy for him just represented the armed services and dropped the puck himself. Instead we had this spontaneous moment it which this general was saying something like were all in this together. I may have more strips than you, but you all deserve this honor just as much as me. I’m sure that is moment was improvised because I bet if members of the Toronto Maple Leafs staff knew he was going to do this they would have brought out four pucks instead of one.

While this was going on a military marching band silently came onto the ice. After the face off a member of the band stepped forward and sang a wonderful edition of the Canadian National anthem. Once again another leader was only as good as his troops. Because the band behind him played “Oh Canada” wonderfully. So well performed that the crowd gave them a standing ovation, and the members of both teams banded their sticks against the ice in approve.

Following the first period it was back to the studio for Coaches Corner with Cherry and MacLean. It was just like I remembered. With Cherry doing his usually stick while showing highlight and explaining to the kids what was done right and wrong. MacLean doing his great job as straight man, and getting a few zingers in now and then. ..

Ron: When I’m out in public I’m always being asked if I can get them Don Cherry’s autograph? I say sure, do you have a crayon?

Don: See what he adds to the program kids?

MacLean then reminded viewers that next Saturday was Hockey Day in Canada. With games and events planned for the whole day. The final word was left to for the coach. Cherry turned serious while showed a picture of an Army corporeal. He told a story about meeting this soldier’s family that past week. Cherry then not only thanked this solider for his service but his family too. Cherry reminded us all that when you have a family member in the military it not only affects the solider, but the family too. And that on military night we should all thank the soldiers, and their families, for the freedoms they protect for us. The freedom to celebrate our game next Saturday. Well said coach!

And well done Canada! Anytime we get a chance to honor our military, no matter what part of North America they are from, it should be a special event. Just like Hockey Day in Canada will be today. The annual event that you do to honor the game. A special game! And last Saturday night in Toronto you reminded me why I love this game so much. Oh Canada, thank you! Thank you for military night last week, and have a great Hockey Day, today.