Over last weekend, the Becker-Big Lake Hockey Association hosted its second annual Eagles Day at Princeton Ice Arena, their current home rink. 

 

Close to 500 family and friends camped out all day at the arena to watch all 13 Eagle teams — from the smallest four-year-olds to high schoolers — hit the ice.  It took the entire day to fit in all the teams.  

 

The 2016-2017 season has turned out to be the largest recruiting season ever at 150 players suiting up this year to join the Eagles.  It is also the first year that two all-girl teams were formed at the 10U level and 6U-8U  level.

 

“Eagles Day has quickly become the ‘come-see’ event designed to remind our kids and parents that they have a great hockey family and community rooting for them," said Board Member and Event Coordinator Tara Hurt. 

 

Not only was the day filled with hockey action, it included shooting competitions, puck tosses, a special “Eagle Cape”, silly stringing of coaches and an autograph session hosted by the high school team. There was also  some “quick thinking” on behalf of the organizers after an opposing team cancelled last minute, which created a memorable moment in a “coaches versus players” pick-up game  for the Bantam B2 team. 

 

The day was capped off with a special coaches award given to Patrick Murnane, who sadly passed away five years ago. His son and BBL high school senior and captain,  Ryan Murnane, accepted the award on his behalf from high school head coach  Doug Friedrichs. It was a heart-felt exchange that touched many of the players and fans prior to the start of the high school game.