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INUVIK - It's a half an hour before boarding time on Friday afternoon and about a dozen giggling, squirming children are plastered to a window overlooking the airport runway, waiting impatiently for their plane to arrive.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere appears hockey legend and hall-of-famer Lanny McDonald. Once introduced, they scramble over for a high-five or a handshake.

photo courtesy of Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club Last weekend local atom players and their chaperons travelled to the city of champions where they were given the royal treatment by the Edmonton Oilers and Canadian North. Here they pause for a group photo in Edmonton. Back row, from left, Peter Clarkson, Ken Crocker, Kelcy McDonald, Chad Larocque and Les Skinner. Middle row, from left, Nina Verbonac, Liam Larocque, River Ross, Dustin Arey, Jacob Day-McLeod, Kaidan McDonald and Nick Bryant. Front row, from left, Dylan Ross-Kendi, Darcie Setzer, Alexander Skinner, Connor Sullivan, Arlo Clarkson, Richard Stewart, Joe Thrasher III, and Deklen Crocker.

McDonald has arrived for the weekend's Oil and Gas Bonspiel and he's made a quick detour to greet the kids.

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a group of 16 Atom Polar Bears teammates on their way to an all-expenses-paid weekend trip to see the Edmonton Oilers play host to the Calgary Flames Saturday Night.

After a few group shots and interviews, the Canadian North plane arrived and they were ushered away on a two-day dream journey.

As part of Saturday's Hockey Day In Canada events, Canadian North and the Edmonton Oilers partnered up to offer the dream package. The reason being it's not every day kids in Inuvik get a chance to experience NHL hockey. Les Skinner, Inuvik Minor Hockey president, got the offer and was quick to round up the youngsters.

And what were they treated to besides a two-night hotel stay?

Among other things, a dressing room meet-and-greet with Oilers players. They stood on the ice during the singing of O Canada just before game time, and then watched the game from their very own box. If that wasn't enough, they then got a chance to hang out with Hockey Night in Canada commentators.

Fast forward to Sunday afternoon when they arrived back at the Inuvik airport.

One of the lucky youngsters, nine-year-old Nick Bryant was beside himself. Overwhelmed by the experience, he didn't care at all that the Oilers lost in a shootout the night before.

"I really loved seeing Ales Hemsky, because he's the Oilers' best player and he scored the other night," he said.

But he was quick to point out that the team's up and coming star Sam Gagner went out of his way to make everyone welcome

"He was the nicest out of all the players," said Bryant. "When we went into his locker room he seemed really happy to see us and he shook our hands."

Teammate Nina Verbonac also made the trip and arrived home giddy and a little star-struck. She agreed Sam Gagner was the nicest.

"When we were at lunch he came and gave everybody autographs. That made me feel special. I just had a lot of fun," said Verbonac.

She also said skating with the Oilers and sitting in the press box was the highlight of the trip.

Peter Clarkson, Polar Bears coach, travelled with the team and said he was thrilled for the kids and the lasting memories the trip will provide.

"The kids were great, full of excitement," he said. "The Oilers and Canadian North were fantastic. It's a chance of a lifetime and I know they won't soon forget it."

Theresa Ross's son River was also one of the lucky kids. The devoted hockey mom said she too is grateful for the lasting memories the trip will give River and the rest of the kids..

"What an opportunity," she said. "It's going to motivate them and inspire them. You don't always get such great opportunities up here, so I know the kids are really thrilled. It's unbelievable. They all deserved to go. They're good kids and they work so hard."