The Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club and RBC have partnered to offer schools in the Waterloo Region the opportunity to participate in the RBC School Tour. Comprised of the Read with the Rangers program and the Rangers Captain’s Clinic, the RBC School Tour brings the fun of Kitchener Rangers hockey to your classroom.

SHEPPARD PUBLIC SCHOOL HOSTS RBC SCHOOL TOUR

Sheppard Public School in Kitchener hosted the most recent installment of the RBC School Tour  on Wednesday, January 23, 2013, welcoming Domenic Alberga and Eric Ming to the gymnasium for the Captain’s Clinic.

Over 40 students from the fourth, fifth and sixth grade joined the Rangers players in the Clinic, and were quick to organize themselves into squads in preparation for the morning’s activities. With so many eager participants, Alberga and Ming quickly got the students warmed up, and gave a few quick pointers before captaining the teams in a spirited game of floor hockey.

Competitive by nature, Eric was stunned when the young opposing goaltender stopped his best scoring chance, throwing his arms in the air and claiming she robbed him. The students on the sidelines cheered loudly for their teammates with the Rangers players encouraging them every step of the way. Each player battled through some hard-fought shifts, with Team Red (coached by Domenic) and Team Blue (coached by Eric) fighting to a well-earned tie.

Following the game, the students of Sheppard PS lined up in their squads and were given the opportunity to ask questions. The kids offered some thoughtful inquiries, asking about the players’ pregame routines, nutrition and education, but one young boy got everyone laughing with his question.

“Do you have all your teeth?” he asked cheerfully, when called upon.

After some autographs and a few more questions, it was time for Ming and Alberga to make the quick trip back up the hill to The Aud. But they congratulated each player on a great game and offered thanks to the classes for welcoming them to Sheppard PS.

RBC SCHOOL TOUR VISITS N.A MACEACHERN PUBLIC SCHOOL

The RBC School Tour visited N.A MacEachern Public School on Wednesday, January 16, 2013, bringing the excitement of Kitchener Rangers hockey to Grade 5 and 6 students.

An upbeat group of 24 students met Rangers forwards Domenic Alberga and Tobias Rieder in the gymnasium for the Captain’s Clinic. The players led the students through a series of stretches and warm-up exercises before giving them some pointers on passing. The kids practiced their new skills with a series of drills, including a rousing round of ‘Monkey in the Middle’.

After everyone was warmed up and ready to go, Tobias and Domenic grabbed sticks and joined the students in a spirited game of floor hockey.

“I’m going to score here,” boasted Rieder before he was stoned by the Team 3 goaltender. Alberga took charge of coaching Teams 1 and 2, and was impressed with some of the talent on the floor.  

Following the game, the students of NA MacEachern took a few minutes to ask the players questions about their travel and playing careers. After a few autographs and some group photos with their teacher, Mr. Collins, Rieder and Alberga had to get back to the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium for practice, but first congratulated the students on their hard work during a active and fun morning of hockey.


RBC SCHOOL TOUR RESUMES AT ST.JOHN'S-KILMARNOCK

The RBC School Tour resumed Monday, January 7 as Kitchener Rangers forward Curtis Meighan and defenceman Ben Fanelli hit the road for St. John’s-Kilmarnock School in Breslau.

The players arrived bright and early and were escorted to the music room, where they were joined by the school’s kindergarten and primary students. The children were surprised to see Meighan and Fanelli, as the visit was scheduled as a surprise for the first day back to school after the holidays, and could be hear excitedly whispering about their special guests.

Ben and Curtis took turns reading from the book Brady Brady and the MVP, by Mary Shaw and Chuck Temple, making sure to flip the book around to share the illustrations with the children. After the story was over, the Rangers decided to test the students on the material, asking questions about the book and its message. Fanelli talked to the group about teamwork and the importance of cheering for your friends, while Meighan shared his story about playing at The Aud and how his fellow Rangers help encourage him.

When the players and students had finished talking about the material, the children were invited to ask questions and happily obliged, asking about the Rangers’ record, the importance of school and how many goals each player had scored. One third-grade student in the back showed himself to be a big fan when the players hesitated, trying to remember how many times they had faced Guelph this season.

“Once! Just once. But we lost,” announced the youngster, confidently.

With time winding down, each member of the audience came forward to meet Ben and Curtis and ask for an autograph. One student was especially thrilled to meet Fanelli, telling the assistant captain the he was his favourite Rangers player.

RANGERS TAKE RBC SCHOOL TOUR TO MONSIGNOR HALLER

The RBC School Tour rolled into Monsignor Haller Catholic Elementary School in Kitchener on Wednesday, November 21, 2012.

Rangers goalie John Gibson and winger Tobias Rieder arrived bright and early to meet the school’s primary students and participate in the Read With the Rangers program. After introducing themselves, the players dove into the book they brought to share with the students: Brady Brady and the MVP, by Mary Shaw and Chuck Temple.

After Gibson completed the story, the Rangers decided to test the students on the material, posing questions about the book and its message. Rieder asked the group about teamwork and the importance of cheering for your friends and the players shared their own stories about playing at The Aud and how their fellow Rangers help them.

When the players were done asking questions, the students turned the tables, inquiring about everything from the NHL draft to their hometowns. With time winding down, question period gave way to autographs, as each member of the Grade 1, 2 and 3 classes came forward to meet John and Tobias.

After spending time with the primary grades, the Rangers took a trip down the hall to meet with the junior and senior kindergarten classes. The players had a chance to read to some of their smallest fans, including one young supporter who was nearly swimming in the oversized jersey he had borrowed from his sister.

The youngsters enthusiastically chatted with Tobias and John, until one young girl raised her hand, not to ask a question, but to make a statement.

“It’s snack time”, she announced loudly.

The players took that as their cue to depart and leave the students to their regularly scheduled activities. After a few more pictures and the last few autographs, the Rangers thanked the students of Monsignor Haller for their hospitality before heading back to The Aud for practice.

RBC SCHOOL TOUR KICKS OFF AT OUR LADY FATIMA

The RBC School Tour kicked off Wednesday, October 24 at Our Lady Fatima Catholic Elementary School in Cambridge, ON.

An enthusiastic crowd of Grade 4 students met Rangers goalie John Gibson and forwards Domenic Alberga and Tobias Rieder in the gymnasium for the Captain’s Clinic. The players led the students through a series of stretches and warm-up exercises before giving them some pointers on passing and running drills.

After everyone was warmed up and ready to go, Gibson, Rieder and Alberga grabbed sticks and joined the students in a spirited game of floor hockey.

“I figure I was a plus-5, 2 goals,” laughed Alberga, who recently joined the Rangers from the Sarnia Sting, adding that he really enjoys mornings spent running around with local students, being active.

Following the game, the students of Our Lady Fatima took a few minutes to ask the players their burning questions, ranging from ‘how busy is your travel schedule’ to ‘how many goals to you have’ and shared some of their own hockey stories. After a group photo, Gibson, Rieder and Alberga had to get back to the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium for practice, but thanked the students for their active participating in a fun morning of hockey!

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READ WITH THE RANGERS*

Read with the Rangers is a program that focuses on the importance of literacy while having fun. Students will have the opportunity to read with their favourite Rangers players and learn a little more about the players’ experiences with reading and education.

Two Rangers players will visit your classroom, read one (1) book (provided by the Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club) and discuss the material with your class, covering important lessons like respect, goal-setting, sportsmanship and teamwork. Once the reading portion of the program is completed, students may ask the players questions.

RANGERS CAPTAIN'S CLINIC*

Rangers Captains Clinic is a program that focuses on the importance of health and physical activity while learning fundamental hockey skills from some of Canada’s top junior hockey players. Students will have the opportunity to practice hockey specific skills and utilize these skills in a game with their favourite Rangers players.

Two Rangers players will visit your gym class and lead the students in a hockey training session designed especially for them. The players will explain the importance of each part of the session and how the skills apply to their game.  At the conclusion of the training session, students may ask the players questions.

Schools interested in hosting a Captain’s Clinic must provide the following equipment: floor hockey sticks and protective eyewear (enough for the class and the Rangers), four (4) hockey nets, two (2) balls and two (2) referees.

SUBMIT YOUR REQUEST

*Note: Limited dates and times available. Acceptance will be based on a first come – first serve basis. There is also an opportunity to include Waterloo Region Police Service officers who are members of the Blue C.R.E.W. Program.

The Kitchener Rangers RBC SCHOOL TOUR is now full for the 2012-13 season. To put your school on the waiting list, or to learn more about the program, please email Adriann Kennedy, Community Relations Manager at akennedy@kitchenerrangers.com