Daily Newsletters
Account
Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Iowa Heartlanders skate into Kalona for day of street hockey
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
KALONA — Fierce wind and chilly temperatures did not keep kids away when the Iowa Heartlanders rolled out nets, sticks, pucks and their antlered mascot, Dash, for some street hockey in Kalona, Tuesday, Oct. 21.
The Kalona Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the free event on Fourth Street and families and nearby kids filtered in quickly for this fun activity. Addie Carrera, 9 from Kalona, said she saw the team setting up nets on her way home from school and quickly asked her mom if she could go play.
“It is so fun to score on them,” Carrera said of the players.
What began as a 4—6 p.m. clinic quickly became a free-for-all of pickup games, with youngsters playing nonstop and Heartlanders players hopping between autographs and photos whenever a stick became available.
The loose format fit the crowd. Kinzley Stai, who recently attended her first Heartlanders game and arrived clutching a stuffed Dash, urged others to check out the team “because it makes you feel better.”
Her dad, Jeremiah Stai of Wellman, praised the concept as “a great idea,” while he wore a wide smile watching the game in front of him.
The Heartlander players in attendance agreed.
“I always love coming out … especially with our teammates. We enjoy it,” Isaiah Fox said.
Fox, who grew up in Montreal, Canada, said he remembered playing street hockey as a kid and was excited to share this with others.
While the Iowa Heartlanders are no strangers to community outreach, Vice President of Business Operations and Marketing Erin Pottebaum said this is the first time the players have done street hockey like this.
According to Pottebaum, Kalona Chamber Director Tonia Poole reached out to the Heartlanders to set up a community night for Kalona at an upcoming game. These nights give communities the opportunity to sit in the same section and cheer on the Heartlanders together.
“She had if had any players available for Christmas in Kalona, but we didn’t have any players available then,” Pottbaum said.
So, when calendars didn’t line up, they pivoted to street hockey. The Heartlanders bought the nets, sticks, and other gear, and circled the fall date on their calendar.
While organizers could not have anticipated the dip in temperature the event turned out terrific, even if the gusts of wind toppled the goals occasionally. Volunteers and players simply put them back up and the chaotic game continued.
With the success of this inaugural street hockey event for the Heartlanders, Pottbaum said the public shouldn’t be surprised if similar events pop up in the future, as long as the coach approves of the distance.
“We already had someone from Ottumwa reach out,” Pottbaum said. “Unfortunately, that is a bit too far for our players.”
By dusk, Dash was still doling out high-fives and kids were still firing wrist shots on the asphalt. The schedule mattered less than the scene: neighbors filling the street, pros mixing with beginners and a small town turning a downtown block into hockey’s version of a block party.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com
