MacKenna Bader, 17, is an avid hockey fan, but in particular, she's a huge AC Avalanche supporter.

Last Saturday, the team took time to salute her support and presented MacKenna with an Avs jersey, customed with her name, and flowers at a pre-game centre ice ceremony.

MacKenna is nonverbal because of a rare genetic disorder but it doesn't prevent her from watching the sport her brothers have enjoyed playing.

After the ceremony, she was anxious to get back to the stands because she knew the game was about to start and didn't want to miss a minute.

"We try to get to every game we can," says her dad, Ryan. "She loves it, she knows when we're headed there."

If the Avs aren't playing they try to catch other games, but it's the minor midget team she prefers to watch, explains her dad.

"She likes fast-paced games. She loves watching these kids and the heavy-hitting. The faster they are, the more excited she gets.

"If it's not an Avalanche game, we'll try and catch something but she prefers them."

Avs head coach Kenton Levesque says MacKenna has been coming to the games at least since he was named head coach three years ago.

In discussion with parents, the team decided to salute the young lady.

"We decided to put something together and gave her flowers and a jersey to make her a member of the Avs forever," explains Levesque.

"She looks like she has a good time, and that's what the game is supposed to be about, so we were glad to share it with her."

Just one home game left in season

The Alberta Minor Midget Hockey League (AMMHL) season is winding down for the Avs and they have one home game remaining on Feb. 25 against the south division leading Rockyview Raiders. Game time is 1 p.m.

The Avs score late in the first against the Northwest Calgary Bruins. The Bruins went on to win the game, 7-3.

While they haven't mathematically been eliminated yet, it doesn't appear the team will make the cut for the Sutter Cup South and will instead be competing in the consolation tournament. They have an 8-20-3 record going into their final four games.

"We've had a couple of rough bounces that didn't go our way so we're going to be in the bottom five," says Levesque, "That's alright, we'll play hard to the end."

The team is guaranteed three games in the consolation event, being held the second weekend in March in Okotoks. Little separates these teams in the event so it will be a solid way to end the season. 


The entire AC Avalanche team joins MacKenna Bader and her dad, Ryan, at centre ice.