With the National Hockey League regular season winding down, hockey fans everywhere are talking about…the OVC Challenge Cup.
Don’t believe it? Check out the promotional video put together by members of the OVC 2013 Golden Phoenixes.
It features former Montreal Canadiens goaltender Ken Dryden and NHL officials, including the league’s senior vice-president and director of officiating Terry Gregson, members of the Guelph Storm, as well as Guelph mayor Karen Farbridge — all congratulating OVC on its 150th anniversary and wishing the teams good luck in the 82nd edition of the Challenge Cup.
“The third-year class always runs the tournament,” says biomedical sciences professor Brad Hanna. “Because of the 150th, they put together the video to hype this year’s tournament and add a bit more fun than usual. I think they may have a few other things up their sleeves.”
The video was produced by third-year DVM students John Smouter and Craig Etherington, with assistance from OVC videographer Kevin Hogg.
Hanna, who since his student days has moonlighted as a referee for various recreational hockey leagues, helped get the production rolling when he approached Gregson, with whom he had officiated a few charity games.
“Terry was very generous with his time. He didn’t just do the greeting for the video, he filmed an entire skit. Plus he opened a lot of doors for us,” said Hanna. “It wasn’t hard to get people to participate; all we had to say was ‘It’s our 150th anniversary’ and everybody was very receptive.
“It’s all very tongue-in-cheek. In no way are we claiming that our Challenge Cup is on the same level as the Stanley Cup. It’s just a bit of fun,” said Hanna.
The OVC finals get under way Friday night, March 30, with the women’s division championship at 6:30 p.m. at the Gryphon Centre arena. The co-ed championship is at 8 p.m.
The new trophy, created by Hanna for the college’s 150th anniversary and inspired by the Stanley Cup, will be presented for the first time. A contingent from the Fergus Pipe Band will lead the dignitaries and teams onto the ice, and Guelph Gryphons varsity staff will help provide the championship atmosphere with music, ceremonial red carpet and more. O Canada will be played by a brass ensemble made up of DVM students.
In addition, alumni from more than 20 OVC classes – ranging from 1952 to 2011 – will be on hand to congratulate the winners and participate in the trophy presentation.