Nearly 100 kids in grades 4, 5 and 6 will hit the ice at the Canadian Tire Centre Thursday to participate in the Melnyk Skate for Kids program.
Now in its 19th year, the annual skate offers local children the opportunity to share the ice with Ottawa Senators alumni and staff.
Students from Terre-des-Jeunes Catholic Elementary School, St. Daniel Catholic School, and Charlotte-Lemieux Public Elementary School will receive an Ottawa Senators jersey, a helmet, and a brand-new pair of skates. To date, more than 1,600 children have participated in the event.
The event is named after former long-time team owner Eugene Melnyk, who died in 2022. His daughters remain minority owners in the franchise.
“We are honoured to carry on the tradition of the Melnyk Family Skate,” said Anna and Olivia Melnyk in a statement.
“This event has brought so much joy to children in this community for 20 years. Seeing their excitement when they are on the ice at the Canadian Tire Centre is something we look forward to every year.”