On Wednesday February 27, the stands at the Scotiabank Saddledome will be filled with kids, including ones from Strathmore, cheering on their favourite team, the Calgary Hitmen. The event is a special occasion, not just for the WHL team, but for the Be Brave Telus Anti-Bullying Hockey Game.

“The Be Brave Anti-Bullying Game is put on by the Hitmen hockey organization and it’s to bring kids together to learn the importance of acceptance and bullying prevention,” said Strathmore High School associate principal Kevin Mertz.

The game is held at 11 a.m. against the Swift Current Broncos, and is open to kids of all ages. This is the third annual anti-bullying event.

Mertz explained, “we have teachers nominate kids. This year we bought 20 tickets and we asked for teachers to nominate kids based on the criteria that maybe they have been bullied, or maybe have been doing some bullying.”

Participants may have also stood up to bullying, or have worked with the school’s leadership clubs actively trying to prevent bullying, or have worked to promote a culture of acceptance at the school.

Last year there were over 16,000 Calgary and area kids that came to the Saddledome to learn about the importance of acceptance and bullying prevention. There were also guest speakers, prizes, an in-game dance, and activities.