Annual minor hockey exchange between Quebec, P.E.I. a chance to create lifelong friendships

The Kensington-Bedford Hockey Exchange is a tradition that's been part of the Baglole family for multiple generations.

Lewyn Baglole, 12, and her 13-year-old sister Emeire Baglole were out with teammates selling potatoes Saturday in an effort to fundraise for their upcoming trip to Quebec.

The exchange brings hockey players under the age of 13 from Bedford, Que., to Kensington to play a hockey game. The P.E.I. players then head to Bedford to play in a return game.

Instead of staying in hotels, the road team also stays at the homes of players on the opposing team during their respective trip.

The sisters are following in the footsteps of their father and grandfather, and say they’ve made new friends from the Quebec team.

"We’re fluent in both French and English, so it's great that we could be able to communicate with them." Emeire said. "I’m still in touch with some of the kids and we talk all the time."

Emeire says while she is not playing this year, she will be going on the trip to see her friends in Quebec.

And, of course, cheer on her sister.

"It's going to be awesome because I played with her before on other teams as well," Emeire said. "My dad's on the bench, too, so he'll be yelling as well."

Ryan Reeves coaches the Kensington squad, and says it’s a tradition that has been running for 58 years. Reeves participated in the exchange himself in 1997.

However, he’s noted that in recent years it’s been harder to find kids interested in joining the team.

"Times are different now. Everyone's not hanging out at the rink 24/7 because there's other things to do now, right? They're home and they're with their electronics and their tablets, and those sorts of things." Reeves said.

"When we were growing up, everyone was at the rink, everyone was aware of all these events and everyone wanted to partake in them."

But he notes the experience was one that has stuck with him throughout his life.

"I have developed friendships now that have lasted for decades. As an example, my daughter that's going this year, her billet, I actually met her mom 20 years ago when I participated in this."

The Bedford players will come to Kensington for a game in January, and the Kensington players will go to Quebec for the return game in February.