Eleven schools in Manitoba got to close out I Love to Read Month with a visit from the Manitoba Moose.

Goalie Eric Comrie and defenseman Peter Stoykewych read a book about hockey called Take Me Out to the Ice Rink to a grade two class at Winnipeg's Voyageur School.

Stoykewych, who is a Winnipegger himself, says he remembers being in the kids' shoes.

"The Moose would come in and read to us. It's nice to be on the other side of the book this time, to see all the kids with the energy and enthusiasm they have for everything, really, not just reading," says Stoykewych.

Schools were selected through a contest in which students and teachers provided the top five reasons why Moose players should come read in their classrooms.

Teacher Carly Cassell says the kids have really been looking forward to today since learning they'd been selected.

"We've been talking about it pretty much non-stop since we got to tell the class," she says.

Student Kayla is credited with writing the letter that got their class selected. Kayla says her dad helped her, and she's a big hockey fan.

"It's like (a) one in a lifetime opportunity," says Kayla. "I wanted my class to see the Moose. It's a great opportunity to read more and get more into hockey."