Guest entry by Calli Forbes, Communications Coordinator, Canadian Red Cross
High River resident Jeremy Kroeker receives an autographed hat by hockey player Corbin Knight who was volunteering with the Red Cross on Tuesday.
When it comes to hockey, especially the Calgary Flames, Jeremy Kroeker knows his stuff.
The High River resident, who lives with special needs, can rattle off statistics on players, past and present, and has a hockey card collection that would put some sports memorabilia stores to shame.
On Tuesday, Jeremy was visited by Corban Knight, who was recently acquired by the Flames. Standing in the Kroeker’s backyard, Corban presented Jeremy with an autographed Calgary Flames hat and a gift card to Sportchek.
The two have much in common, and not just when it comes to their passion for hockey. Corban and Jeremy were both impacted by the floods that washed over the community nearly three weeks ago. After two feet of water submerged the first floor of Corban’s childhood home, it was marked with a red flag and designated as condemned. As for Jeremy, not only was his home severely damaged, but much of his beloved hockey collection was destroyed.
Having experienced the devastation firsthand, Knight says he jumped on the opportunity to give back to his community by volunteering with the Canadian Red Cross. He said it was tough when he first saw the devastation to his home, but he found it quite uplifting to see the people come from all over it help them move on.
Jeremy’s parents, Norman and Helen, were overjoyed for their son. “This has just made my day,” Helen says, with tears in her eyes. “This is just amazing.”
Jeremy says he hopes to rebuild his collection to its former glory, starting with the purchase of a Sidney Crosby jersey, thanks to the gift card he received from Corban.
Corban says the visit was a special moment to share not only with a Flames fan, but also a fellow High River resident.
“I’m definitely glad I could be a part of this,” he says. “This is definitely a moment I won’t forget.”