Jan. 16, 2020 – The prairie’s top junior talent will be on full display, from January 21 to 22 when the SJHL and MJHL annual showcase begins at the Co-operators Centre in Regina.
While always a spotlight for the best up and coming talent in junior hockey, this year’s showcase has one extra special feature in the SaskTel Be Kind Online Pink & White Game.
Sponsored by SaskTel’s long running cyber-bullying prevention program, the game set for broadcast on January 22, at 10:15 a.m. will be attended by over 600 special guests. Students from seven Regina area schools have been invited to attend the game which will be followed by a Be Kind Online lunch and the initiative’s annual bullying prevention rally.
“We’re excited to see Be Kind Online join with the SJHL to promote a kinder world for everyone,” said the Honourable Gordon Wyant, Minister of Education. “Promoting kindness can help Saskatchewan youth feel accepted at school, in their community and online.”
To ensure the students take that message from the game into their lives, they are invited to a meal provided by the game’s sponsors, where drinks will be supplied by SaskMilk. They will also receive a snack courtesy of Capital GM during the day. All of which will be followed by the Be Kind Online Rally beginning at 1:30 p.m. featuring guest speaker Cpl. Sean Chiddenton, (RCMP). He will talk with students about the impacts of cyber bullying and how we can work together to prevent it from happening.
“The SJHL is honoured to host the Be Kind Online Pink and White Game as this partnership allows our players to share their experiences and struggles with bullying while letting other youth know they’re not alone,” said Bill Chow, President of the SJHL. “This event creates conversations with our players and future players that can be rallying points to stand up against bullying. We hope that endeavours such as this will allow youth to spread some positivity and with the cooperation coming from the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, we know the Be Kind Online Pink and White Game will help break the silence.”
As SJHL and MJHL players are welcomed to Regina for the competition, the SJHL will ensure they have the chance to do just that at their own pre-showcase bullying prevention session.
Unfortunately, bullying is something far too many young people still experience first-hand. However, thanks to the hard work of many youth, like the more than 100 Be Kind Online Grant recipients; valued partners like the SJHL or new allies like the MJHL; great strides are being made.
“Changes in technology have meant that bullying can follow victims whenever and wherever they are connected to a device,” said the Honourable Don Morgan, Minister Responsible for SaskTel. “With the Be Kind Online Pink and White Game, SaskTel and the SJHL are joining together to play an active role in challenging cyber-bullying to prevent it before it starts.”
Media are invited to attend the ceremonial puck drop at 10:15 a.m. Representatives for the SJHL, SaskTel, and Be Kind Online will be made available for statements and brief questions following the ceremony.
About SaskTel
SaskTel is the leading Information and Communications Technology (ICT) provider in Saskatchewan, with over $1.2 billion in annual revenue and approximately 1.35 million customer connections including 617,000 wireless accesses, 320,000 wireline network accesses, 283,000 internet accesses and 112,000 maxTV™ subscribers. SaskTel and its wholly-owned subsidiaries offer a wide range of ICT products and services including competitive voice, data and Internet services, wireless data services, maxTV services, data centre services, cloud-based services, security monitoring services, advertising services, and international software and consulting services. SaskTel and its wholly-owned subsidiaries have a workforce of approximately 3,700 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs). Visit SaskTel at www.sasktel.com.
About Be Kind Online
SaskTel Be Kind Online is an initiative that brings awareness and education on cyberbullying and cyber safety. It is also a reminder that each and everyone one of us has an obligation to monitor our online behaviour and share in the opportunity to spread positivity. Partnering with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education, the program strives to achieve its goals by raising awareness of cyberbullying’s effects; providing online resources to educate and help youth, parents, and teachers dealing with bullying; and by inviting youth to apply for grants of up to $1,000 so that they can take their ideas to address cyberbullying and make them a reality that can inspire everyone to do the same. Visit the Be Kind Online website at bekindonline.com.
