On March 27, 2026, the Tumbler Ridge RCMP were invited to join the Tumbler Ridge Minor Hockey Association Raptors to a skate-off and slap shot competition.
Staff Sergeant Ed DeJong laced up his skates and welcomed the challenge as fellow Mounties brought a handheld ProLASER to record the skaters’ speeds.
Players aged seven to 17, plus DeJong, all heated up the ice with the top speed of 34 km/hr being posted by one of the Raptors (whose name was not noted, but player number is 11).
“It was inspiring to watch the youth of Tumbler Ridge continue to show up with strength, resilience and determination. It was an honour to skate with the Raptors, and I appreciated that they didn’t give me too hard of a time. They skated circles around me!“ says Staff Sergeant DeJong.
On Friday, April 3, the RCMP will once again join in the celebrations. Tumbler Ridge is having a Zamboni Parade through the community, escorted by the local RCMP.
A community BBQ will follow the next day at the Tumbler Ridge Community Centre as the town awaits the results of the Hockeyville vote.
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.
