Winnipeg couple told to pay $400 to bring infant to NHL game

CTV News Channel: 'We want to share' experience Shalyn Meady and Clifford Anderson describes how they felt when they were told to buy a $400 ticket for their son to attend an NHL game.

A Winnipeg couple is willing to drop the gloves with National Hockey League after they were told to buy a $400 ticket for their six-month-old son to attend the 2016 Heritage Classic game.

Clifford Anderson and Shalyn Meady say they shelled out $800 for two tickets several months ago, and only recently discovered they would need to buy another ticket for their infant son.

The 2016 Heritage Classic will feature the Winnipeg Jets taking on the Edmonton Oilers at Investors Group Field on Oct. 23.

Anderson said he contacted the Winnipeg Jets and was referred to the National Hockey League.

"Everyone needs a ticket and everyone needs a seat, including babies," said Anderson. "That's what I was told."

Anderson says, what makes this situation even more galling for the family is the fact their breast-fed son cannot even sit up on his own.

Sports franchises in Winnipeg routinely let young children into games for free. The Jets allow children under the age of two into regular season home games for free, while the Winnipeg Blue Bombers allow the same for children three years old and younger.

Meady says she understands not every family would want to bring their young child along, but says they considered it important.

"There is a lot of people that don't want to bring their babies, and that is fine too, but this is something we want to do as a family," she said. "And I think that there should be an option."

Anderson says the family has declined offers to help cover the cost of their son's ticket, instead saying that he would like to see the policy changed.

With a report from CTV Winnipeg's Emad Agahi