DAVIDSON—A Saskatoon peewee hockey team won over the hearts of residents and staff at Davidson Health Centre.

The Bobcats Canucks took time away from the rink Saturday, Dec. 8, when they were in Davidson competing in the Davidson Huskies Peewee ‘B’ tourney. During a break between games, they dropped by the health centre to perform Christmas carols and visit with residents.

The gesture was unexpected and much appreciated at the health centre.

“We were so appreciative of it,” said Sharon Barlow, activities director at Davidson Health Centre.

The health centre runs activities for residents on weekdays, however, weekends are much quieter at the facility. Unless residents have family and friends come for a visit, Saturday and Sundays can be lonely.

Dropping by the health centre also helped break up the monotony of a long day at the rink for the Bobcats.

Team manager Lisa Low arranged for the visit. She phoned the health centre about a week ahead to OK the plan.

Low says the team has done community outreach activities in the past, but this was the first time they did it in a different community while at a tournament.

She said when she looked at their tourney schedule and saw there was a two-hour break between games, she considered options to fill the time in a constructive way.

“I’m from a small town and my mom is in a home five hours away and she always tells me when kids come by,” Low said.

Low is originally from Maryfield and her mom lives in a facility in Moosomin.

Aware of the joy seeing children gives to long-term care residents, Low planned the visit.

Some of the hockey players brought musical instruments along so they could perform Christmas carols (Saskatoon schools have band programs in their schools in grades six to eight).

There was an assortment of brass and woodwind instruments including a trombone, clarinet and saxophone.

“The kids were super shy,” Low said of the kids’ initial trepidation of performing to a room of strangers.

They eventually got into it and Low said they really enjoyed it.

“It was funny how when we got there, there were a couple of residents in the (activity) room. And then I heard one lady say, ‘There’s kids here!’” Low said,

Then more residents came to see what the fuss was about.

After playing and singing songs, the hockey players visited with residents and gave each one a team picture as a Christmas card.

It was a short visit, but its affects are long-lasting.

“The kids got so much out of it and so did their parents,” Low said of this new awareness the players and their parents have of how simple, thoughtful gestures may make meaningful connections.

“We are thankful to the staff and residents for allowing us to visit. They gave our players and families an experience and opportunity to share some time with some very special people.”