North Bay Battalion take part in Bullying Prevention and Awareness week

It's Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week in Ontario and the North Bay Battalion teamed up with a number of elementary schools in the city to spread the message.

"Any chance I get to come out and do this, it's never a no. It's always a yes, getting to see these kids happy honestly makes me happy," said Kyle McDonald, a forward with the Battalion.

"Throughout school, growing up, you see bullying happen to kids, it's never something good … Speaking out at that, making them know we all went through it too and giving them pointers on how to get through it that's basically all we can do."

As a part of the anti-bullying week, each student at the schools made a character traits card, with positive ways to affect others written on them.

"My character trait is funny. Funny is very important, because other people like it, they smile and have a good time," said one student.

"My character trait is being empathetic, so you can help people when they're having a hard time and relate to their emotions and make them feel better," another student said.

While the Troop are known to be the idols of many kids on the ice, they know it's important to set a good example off the ice as well.

"People in the community might look up to us a little bit. With these guys, they're pretty young and just trying to have a positive influence on them," said another Battalion forward, Dalyn Wakely.

"Just trying to share our knowledge a little."