Hometown Hockey Tour gets wet welcome in Saint John

The Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour got off to a soggy start Saturday in Saint John.

But the rain didn't stop many kids from playing ball hockey at Long Wharf while their parents watched under umbrellas.

Tara Slone, co-host of the Hometown Hockey Tour, said she prayed to the weather gods, but there's only so much they can do.

"We're a hardy people, a hardy nation, so people come prepared," she said. "They're not scared off by the rain, they're not scared off by the snow."

It was drier under the tents, where former NHLers Michel Goulet and Patrice Brisbois were signing autographs.

Saint John band Tomato Tomato entertained the crowd wth live music.

More events are planned for Sunday, including a puck stack, hockey circus show and more live music.

At 8:30 p.m., Slone and co-host Ron MacLean will broadcast live from Saint John before the NHL game in Anaheim, California, between the Ducks and Vancouver Canucks.

Saint John will be featured during the intermission and after the game, and local hockey players will help pick the three stars.