On a warm and sunny Sunday afternoon, Skylar Fraser is outside the Canadian Tire Centre hours before puck drop, taking part in Fan Appreciation Week. The event is put on by the club to celebrate and thank their fans for their support throughout the season. This year’s event is extra special with the team securing a spot in the playoffs for the first time in eight years. “It’s nice to be in this atmosphere for the year end and it’s nice to see right before the playoffs,” Fraser said. “Get the excitement going for the team and the fans.” Gates opened at 10:30 a.m. Sunday for fans to stop in and enjoy some live music, drinks, sign-making and to take pictures ahead of the afternoon puck drop against the Philadelphia Flyers. Manager for marketing events and promotions with the club, Lauren Coyle, says it’s a small way to say thanks to their fans, offering the event ahead of the few remaining regular season games. “We’re doing this for the fans to say thank you, we wouldn’t be here without them and they’ve shown us support all season long,” Coyle said. “We want to, thanks to them, provide them with awesome opportunities, gifting inside around the concourse. They’ll be able to take part in surprise and delights. While fans are hungry for the post-season, Fraser says the event is making fans even more excited for the chance to see their team play meaningful hockey for the first time in almost a decade. “It’s just nice after eight years I guess, nice to have the playoff hockey back here in Ottawa,” Fraser says. “Capital of Canada, capital of hockey.” Following the team’s contest on Sunday against the Flyers, the remaining games at home are against the Chicago Blackhawks on April 15 and their final game of the season on April 17 against the Carolina Hurricanes. “It also continues on Tuesday as well, so Tuesday same kind of thing, we’ll be out here, we’ll have a band Thursday, we’ll open the plaza early for fans to enjoy and then once playoffs begin, you’ll see this place is ready to go.” Coyle said.
