Austin Bruins Forward Sean Murphy asked the second-graders in Sue Conway’s class how many hockey goals made up a hat trick Tuesday morning.
Although the Banfield Elementary School students had a little trouble guessing, they still got to hear Murphy read them a story. Murphy, along with Nolan Kirley were the latest Bruins to visit area schools and encourage reading.
“You need to help out the community as much as you can,” Murphy said.
Since the Bruins began their season, they’ve gone to one Austin elementary school a week, rotating players out to visit with kids, asking and answering questions about hockey and reading to elementary students.
In addition, the Bruins are promoting a Healthy Habits program with McDonalds, where students who make good healthy choices can earn a free McDonalds Happy Meal and a free Bruins home game ticket.
Students who the Bruins visit can put punches on a punch card by doing things like reading for 30 minutes, making healthy food choices, choosing apple dippers over french fries at McDonalds, being active for 30 minutes and visiting the dentist or doctor, according to a handout given to students. Once the punch card is filled out, kids can turn it in to the Bruins office at Riverside arena to claim their prizes.
The Bruins hope to tour at schools in outlying Mower County areas like the Southland School District, according to Mike Delhanty, the Bruins’ community relations specialist.
