Cannon, Bennett, teammates enjoy thrill of lifetime on United Center ice

by Scott Fredericks

First the Winter Classic at Wrigley Field and now the United Center.

Seamus Cannon, 9, a student at Christ the King Elementary School, had a pretty good season last year, skating in both venues as part of events sponsored by the Chicago Blackhawks.

After participating in Winter Classic festivities with the Detroit Red Wings on Jan. 1, 2009, Cannon and his Homewood- Flossmoor Vikings teammates, including Beverly resident Dayle Bennett, an eight-year-old Sutherland Elementary School student, battled their arch rivals from Kankakee in a pregame matchup before the Blackhawks contest against St. Louis on Dec. 16.

“It was really cool,” said Cannon, a defenseman for the Vikings. “I had fun at both, but I would probably say that skating at Wrigley Field was more fun because both of my favorite teams were playing in that game, and St. Louis is definitely not one of my favorite teams. And I also got to stand there when the players were coming to the ice, which was really cool.”

In addition to participating in a game prior to the pro match-up, Cannon also participated in a shootout between the first and second periods.

“I was pretty nervous and a little bit embarrassed because the stick was a little bit too small for me,” said Cannon.

Bennett didn’t skate at Wrigley, but the second-year player enjoyed her United Center experience.

“It was a lot of fun, but it was so tiring because the ice is so much bigger than what we normally play on,” said Bennett.

A center, Bennett was one of the top players for the Vikings, getting several quality shots on net.

“My sister Lauren played hockey before I did, so I wanted to play because of that,” said Bennett.

She quickly took to the game and is already one of her team’s top players.

The event was part of the programs of the Junior Blackhawks. They allow mite, squirt, bantam and pee-wee hockey teams to play games on the United Center ice prior to Hawks games. The Blackhawks hold a lottery for interested junior hockey programs.

Junior Hawks participants each receive a Blackhawks practice jersey as part of the program. Players had their own folding chair, and their names were on the locker to mimic what the Blackhawks locker room looks like.

Hawks star Kris Versteeg also came into the locker room to meet with the players following the contest.

Cannon’s mother, Lee Ann, the Vikings team manager, said she was blown away by the Blackhawks’ hospitality.

“They really did it up for the kids. It was such a great thrill for all the kids and the parents” she said. “Walking across the ice was pretty amazing. I didn’t think I would be in as much awe as I was.”

Seamus has motivated two of his sisters to play the game in the last year, and their backyard has a homemade rink with a roof over the top to keep the elements away from the surface.

Seamus spends much of his free time on that rink practicing.

This is part of the February 3, 2010 online edition of The Beverly Review.

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