He might not be old enough to remember Wayne Gretzky playing for the Edmonton Oilers, but by the start of next week, he’ll probably know the Great One better than those of us who do.
Whitehorse resident and Jack Hulland Elementary student Tyler Egglestone, 10, is being given the hockey opportunity of a lifetime. This weekend, Tyler will be one of just 14 kids from across Canada to join the Hall-of-Famer in Calgary for a Sunday dinner, followed by a day of instruction and scrimmages with Gretzky and Hayley Wickenheiser, who helped bring Canada’s women’s hockey team to three Olympic medals, including two gold.
“It’s really exciting and it’s going to be fun,” said Tyler. “I want to ask him why he likes hockey so much and how he got so good and how he scored the goals.”
Tyler will be on the ice with the two greats thanks to his mother Charlene Egglestone, who entered the Samsung Hockey Camp for Kids Contest, put on through TSN. To win, Charlene answered an essay question that asked how big a hockey fan her child was.
“He loves hockey, loves playing hockey and I thought I’d try it and see what happens, and they gave us a call and we had exciting news last Thursday,” said Charlene.
“If you could see his room, you’d understand. He’s one of the biggest Oilers fans I know. He has everything Oilers - everything.
“I’m quite excited, too, that I get to go,” she added.
Not only is Tyler a fan, he’s a player too, playing first year peewee on the PowerAde minor league team in Whitehorse. He’s been playing minor hockey since he was five. So far this season he has amassed 10 points, with five goals.
Tyler intends to bring an Oilers jersey and some playing cards to be signed during an autograph session.
Contact Tom Patrick at tomp@yukon-news.com