As a hockey player for the Chicago Wolves, Eriah Hayes has the job of scoring goals.
As a recent visitor to the Chicago Ridge Public Library, he tried to convince kids to set goals, specifically related to reading.
“I encourage children to spend a lot of time in the library,” Hayes said. “Reading early on paves the way to a great education.”
The appearance was part of the Wolves’ Read to Succeed program, an initiative launched in 1996 that has encouraged nearly 600,000 students to make reading a fun and rewarding part of life, according to the Wolves’ website. The program targets third- through eighth-graders, and students who complete their school’s reading programs get a certificate for a free ticket to a Wolves home game or other prizes, it said.
Wolves player Jordan Schmaltz is scheduled to appear at the Tinley Park Public Library at 4 p.m. Feb. 24 and the Orland Park Public Library at 7 p.m. that day, according to the team’s website.
At the Chicago Ridge library on Wednesday, Hayes met with fans, discussed his hockey career and signed autographs.
“It is a really great event,” library youth services coordinator Irene Ciciora said. “Hayes took the time to talk about his career, talk about some of his favorite books, answer children’s questions and sign autographs all in the library setting. The children really enjoyed having him here.”
The goal of the program, according to the Wolves, is to have every young participant spend more time in libraries and see the valuable resources they have to offer, as well as understand the benefits of reading as a recreational tool.
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Hayes told children his favorite book is “The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton.
“It was my favorite book growing up and it is still to this day my favorite book,” he said.
Hayes, a right wing, had four goals and three assists in his first 21 games this season, his first with the Wolves. The La Crescent, Minn. native has appeared in 19 NHL games in his career, all with the San Jose Sharks.
At the Chicago Ridge appearance, children’s questions ranged from whether or not Hayes likes scary movies to what he does in his free time. His favorite question came from Hailey Zarkin, 8, of Chicago Ridge, who asked Hayes how much he loves hockey.
“Growing up in Minnesota, there is not much else to do other than to play hockey,” Hayes said. “I began playing hockey at the age of 5 and never stopped. There is nothing I love more.”
Kelly White is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.