Pine Bend Elementary School students learned how to stay healthy with tips from the Minnesota Wild hockey team and friends. As part of their Faceoff for Fitness Program, the Minnesota Wild’s in-arena announcer Rusty Kath, mascot Nordy, former player Stéphane Veilleux, and three-time Olympic medalist in ice hockey Natalie Darwitz led a schoolwide assembly about making healthy choices. 

The former players shared their favorite proteins, fruits, and vegetables and talked about how much they exercised as players. Nordy showed students a couple of exercises they could do, but Mr. Kath emphasized that students should find exercises and nutritious foods that they like so they can stay active and healthy. 

One of the ways students can stay healthy is by playing hockey, so Mr. Veilleux and Ms. Darwitz teamed up with Pine Bend students Jaxon and Laci for a slapshot contest against Nordy. The four players got five goals against the fuzzy goalkeeper while the students watching chanted their names and cheered. 

The group announced at the end of the assembly that all students will get hockey cards with tips on eating healthy and exercising, and the school will get some Minnesota Wild street hockey gear to get students active while they have fun. Thank you, Minnesota Wild!