Islanders waiting to hear tonight's Hockeyville announcement

Close to a dozen West Prince hockey teams were paraded into the sports centre shortly after 3 p.m. to get the party started and the excitement continues to build as fans from all over P.E.I. wait to hear whether their online voting was enough to carry O’Leary to the national title. They will learn the result sometime around 7:45 p.m.

Among those who arrived before the parade-in and is sticking around for that announcement is 96 year-old O’Leary resident, Therin Ellis

“I think it is just wonderful,” Ellis said of O’Leary’s climb to become the top Eastern Canadian team in the competition and possibly in all of Canada. They’re up against Western Canada finalist, Ituna, Saskatchewan, for the title.

“I think the committee has done a terrific job. Wonderful planning, even today.”

Asked if he thinks O’Leary will be the ultimate winner, Ellis responded, “We hope so.”

Bill MacKendrick, a member of the committee that put O’Leary’s nomination for the Hockeyville title together back in January, says he believes they’ve done all they can to bring the title home. But he stressed the hopes now rest on the countless people who voted. “Everyone in this community and well beyond voted as often as they could,” he said.

MacKndrick commended the many volunteers who helped put Saturday’s party together in anticipation of a positive outcome.

He admitted the committee will be disappointed if they don’t win, but stressed it wouldn’t be from lack of effort by voters from all over Eastern Canada. “There’s nothing left on the table.”

The crowd was already large by 4 p.m. but MacKendrick is expecting attendance to continue to grow as the time of the announcement draws closer. The family party at the sports centre, complete with bouncy castles, draws and contests, is scheduled to run until 9 p.m.

A 19 years and older Hockeyville party will run next door at the curling club from 8 to 12 midnight.