After making his way across the Atlantic for a season in Norway, Jimmy Kilpatrick knew he wanted to keep his role in HP4K alive in any way possible. His team, the Stavanger Oilers, have visited over 60 schools and spoken to around 6000 students in the past six years on their after school program tour.
Teaming up with Norwegian comedian, Kristian, the Oilers’ boys talk to the kids about setting goals for their future, making the right things a priority in life, choices, and the consequences that may or may not come from those choices.
On this year’s agenda Jimmy and his team will visit seven schools, one a week until the end of the season. They’re calling this year’s program a project with an “international twist”. Usually Kristian and the local Norwegian players would speak to the kids but Jimmy wants to be able to add his experiences and what he’s learned along the way.
After the visit with the kids the team makes it possible for everyone to be bused out to the next day’s home game where they get to sit with the team’s fans known as the “Roughnecks”. These are the fans who are known throughout the European hockey world. The drums are constantly going, cheers and chants are in unison and perfected over years.
“The kids are given a team sweatshirt along with being able to sit with the Roughnecks. It’s a great experience and it’s a great influence that I hope we can continue to spread,” said Kilpatrick.
