January 23, 2012 - In advance of the 2012 NHL All-Star game, children from St. Luke's Child Care Centre in Ottawa City Hall got to see the new hockey memorabilia in the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame Monday, January 23, 2012. (DARREN BROWN/QMI AGENCY)

With children streaming through the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame, it was a cookie and a glass of milk that got the loudest cheer.

Not the Stanley Cup replica or Bill Cowley’s Ottawa hockey sweater from 1947. There wasn’t much fanfare over a pair of old hockey skates and gloves from former Ottawa 67s coach, Brian Kilrea,

Nevertheless, Hall of Fame director, Bruce Hillary, was delighted to see the young generation gathered in the room located in city hall’s heritage building.

“It’s an opportunity for our capital of this country to celebrate what hockey has meant to this country and in particular this city,” said Hillary.

As the world prepares to turn its spotlight on the nation’s capital for the 2012 NHL All-Star Game this weekend, the Hall of Fame is shedding some light on our own hockey history.

Mayor Jim Watson welcomed approximately 40 children from St. Luke’s Child Care Centre to preview some of the new pieces brought in to create an all-star hockey theme.

“We brought these future NHL all-star players to come and see some of the history of hockey,” Watson said. “It’s a great chance to expose them to the most amazing sport, hockey.”

“Kids and come in and take a look at some of the history right up to present day and what hockey has meant to this community,” Hillary said. “And they will grow up loving this game and enjoying some of the feats of our Ottawa Senators.”

The 2012 NHL All-Star Game festivities begin Thursday with a NHL trophy procession down the Rideau Canal and concludes with the game itself on Sunday.

White branches.

White signs.

White trees.

White benches.

I’ve seen this before but have always been in too much of a rush to pause and appreciate. I wonder how many people who were parading along the bridge this morning did as well. It was a crisp morning out, -34 with the windchill, so working quickly was important.

Hwy. protesters vow to protect trees | Ottawa & Region | News | Ottawa Sun.

Ottawa Senators' Jason Spezza (19), right, celebrates his 199th goal with Nikita Filatov (21) after beating Carolina Hurricanes' goalie Cam Ward (30) during the first period of NHL hockey action Sunday November 27, 2011. (DARREN BROWN/QMI AGENCY)

A woman walks along the Rideau Canal near MacKenzie Bridge November 12, 2011. (DARREN BROWN/QMI AGENCY)