Edmonton police, inner-city youth connect in 15th annual hockey match

Edmonton police officers and youth from Edmonton's downtown core got together for a friendly hockey match at the McCauley rink on Saturday.

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) laced up for a match against young competition in the name of community building on Saturday.

The McCauley Cup is in its 15th year of bringing EPS officers and youth from the downtown core together for a friendly game of hockey at the McCauley Rink. The match is designed to give parents and their children the chance to know the beat officers working in the area.

“(Kids) get to meet the police, play Canada’s game, and see that there’s a name and a face behind the badge, and just get to build those relationships,” said Edmonton police chief Warren Driechel at Saturday’s game.

Despite cold weather for this year’s game, organizers were expecting up to 50 kids joining in throughout the day.

Driechel added the relationship-building goes both ways, with officers getting a chance to hear the stories of inner-city kids.

“You get to hear their stories … get to relate to them differently.”

Special guests included Edmonton Oilers alumni Al Hamilton and Georges Laraque, who said his brother has been a cop for 25 years and he respected efforts to “bridge a relationship” between cops and kids.

“It’s rallying people together … it’s awesome,” he told media at the rink.

Skates and hockey equipment were donated to ensure all kids got the chance to play.