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Downtown division police officers traded their utility belts and uniforms for shin pads and skates to play a friendly game of hockey with local kids in the 10th annual McCauley Cup Friday.<\/p>\n More than 50 young people from the neighbourhood took turns hitting the ice with police officers for one simple reason: \u201cWe love playing hockey,\u201d said Kevin Olafson, 19.<\/p>\n The event began a decade ago when a downtown beat officer wanted to bridge the gap between police and the community. Since then, the game remains popular \u2014 no matter how chilly it gets.<\/p>\n \u201cIt gives us face time with the community, and gives us the opportunity to talk about how to make things better,\u201d said organizer Const. Andrew Melney.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re really only as successful as your relationships with community members. To see the kids and how proud they are to play with us is pretty humbling,\u201d said Melney.<\/p>\n Not only did the game bring local kids and cops together, it brought everyone a little closer to Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl.<\/p>\n At one point, Draisaitl appeared outside the skate shack at McCauley Rink and fans scrambled to get in line for an autograph.<\/p>\n For incoming Edmonton police chief Dale McFee, this game was a great equalizer. Wearing a pair of sweat pants, he endured some playful trash-talking.<\/p>\n \u201cHe claims that he was a junior hockey player at some point in his life \u2014 I guess we\u2019ll find out,\u201d said Coun. Scott McKeen, who was there to\u00a0declare Dec. 28 McCauley Cup Day in Edmonton.<\/p>\n The opportunity to play hockey with the chief \u2014 whatever his skill level \u2014 was also intriguing for the young players. \u201cI think he should be pretty good,\u201d said Bryce Olafson, 17, before the game started. \u201cBut I\u2019m scared to check him,\u201d he said, smiling.<\/p>\n The McCauley Cup represents resilience and its success is a sign of positive change. \u201cThe strength in this community and everybody who is here today is a positive indicator of what can happen when you bring folks together for something as simple as playing hockey,\u201d said Greg Lane, president of the McCauley Community League.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m so proud to be in this community at this event. Things have changed here because of the work of many volunteers,\u201d McKeen said.<\/p>\n And before the day was done, Bryce Olafson received the perfect souvenir for a kid who loves hockey: a brand new stick signed by Draisaitl.<\/p>\n \u201cAwesome,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tIncoming Edmonton police chief Dale McFee, left, and Edmonton Police Service Sept. Chad Tawfik, right, play hockey with youth in the 10th annual McCauley Cup at the McCauley outdoor skating rink, 10750 96 St. in Edmonton on Friday, Dec. 28, 2018.<\/span>
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDavid Bloom<\/span> \/ Postmedia<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n![](\"https:\/\/postmediaedmontonjournal2.files.wordpress.com\/2018\/12\/20181228DB007-1.jpg?quality=55&strip=all\"\/)
\nDowntown division police officers and neighbourhood youth play hockey in the 10th annual McCauley Cup at the McCauley outdoor skating rink, 10750 96 St. in Edmonton on Friday, Dec. 28, 2018.<\/span>
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