An extra special trip
John Fogerty and Winnipeg Jets make doubleheader of fun for Kivalliqmiut
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, January 21, 2015
RANKIN INLET/WINNIPEG
While Winnipeg is always a popular destination for Kivalliq travellers during the month of December, this past month offered a doubleheader of fun many in the region couldn't resist.
Robert Kabvitok peeks out from behind his Nunavut flag during a Jets game in Winnipeg in December of 2014. - photo courtesy of Noel Kaludjak |
The New Jersey Devils were in the Peg to take on the Jets, and that meant a chance to see Rankin Inlet's own Jordin Tootoo on the ice.
The following night, the legendary voice of the band Creedence Clearwater Revival, John Fogerty, was performing in Winnipeg.
The music of Fogerty and CCR remain hugely popular in the Kivalliq.
Robert Kabvitok made the trip with his partner, Holly Mercer.
The visit to the Peg was extra special to the couple, as it was their first trip without taking the two children along.
Kabvitok said he was very disappointed to learn through friends on social media that Tootoo was scratched from the evening's lineup.
He said he and Mercer kept looking for his No. 20 during the warmup, hoping it was a mistake, but it jusn't wasn't to be.
"We were pretty excited to see Jordin play, so it was pretty disappointing," said Kabvitok.
"We still enjoyed the game, though.
"It was fun to see Jaromir Jagr again.
"He was with Pittsburgh the first time I saw him play against the Jets and now, 20 or whatever years later, I get to see him play in his 40s."
Kabvitok said the disappointment of not seeing Tootoo didn't feel quite as bad after seeing Fogerty.
He said the MTS Centre was packed, and the crowd exploded with the introduction of every song he played.
"I love Fogerty's music and I'm a big fan of CCR, so that concert was just awesome for me.
"His voice sounded great and the atmosphere in the building was awesome.
"We saw all sorts of people we knew there and had a really great time, so we owe a big thank you to the folks who looked after our kids so we could go for a couple of days.
"Between the game and the concert, I'd say I saw about 100 people from Kivalliq, especially from Rankin and Arviat."
