Ontario hockey club honouring fallen Snowbird’s memory with team name change

The Junior A Hockey Club in Quinte West, O.N., will be changing its name for an upcoming game to honour the late Captain Jennifer Casey, a Halifax native and member of the RCAF Snowbirds who previously lived in the city.

On Nov. 27 when the Trenton (Quinte West) Golden Hawks take the ice against the Wellington Dukes, the team will instead be sporting a new set of custom jerseys and play as the Trenton Snowbirds.

The new jerseys will be coloured red, white and blue in honour of the Snowbirds and have Casey’s name on the back, alongside the player’s designated number. They will be later auctioned off with all proceeds going to support a scholarship in Casey’s name.

“The Trenton Junior A Hockey Club is honoured to be named after Canada’s original aerobatics team, the Golden Hawks. It is only natural we honour the current aerobatics team, Captain Casey, and Operation Inspiration,” said Trenton director of operations John McDonald. “This game would not happen without the Casey family, the Golden Hawks aerobatics team, 431 Squadron in Moose Jaw, CFB Trenton, former Golden Hawk Dan Dempsey, and jersey designer Dave O’Malley.”

Casey resided in Quinte West for six years, from 2012 to 2018, where she worked in radio at Quinte Broadcasting before beginning her career in the military. She served as a public affairs officer at 8-Wing Trenton and with the CF-18 Demo Team before moving on to join the Snowbirds in Moose Jaw in the same position. 

Casey was taking part in the national Operation Inspiration tour this summer when the Snowbird she was in crashed in Kamloops, B.C.

The special hockey game will welcome a special set of political and military dignitaries to drop the puck and share videos honouring Casey. The pre-game ceremony and game itself will be aired live on YourTV, as well as online at HockeyTV and by radio at County FM 99.3.

“We would like to thank everyone involved in creating this beautiful jersey and event. Jenn was a lifelong hockey fan, especially junior hockey. From her hometown Halifax Mooseheads, to rooting for Canada at the World Juniors, to following her beloved Montreal Canadiens, hockey was a major part of Jenn’s life,” said Casey’s mother Rose and stepfather Rob, in a press release.   

“Jenn touched a lot of hearts during her time in Trenton, like she did wherever she went. Whether it was working in the radio newsroom, running in a relay, travelling to airshows, or being in the Snowbirds, Jenn gave it her all. We can remember her by bringing the values she lived by to what we all do:  play your best game, honour your teammates, respect your competitors, have fun and try to bring joy to whatever you do,” they said.