Two special guests thrilled audience members at the 2016 Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup (WCC) Corporate Sponsor’s Appreciation Banquet in the Power Dodge Curling Centre last Wednesday.
Brian Burke, president of hockey operations for the Calgary Flames, and former truculent NHL forward Jeff Odgers were the guests of honour at the banquet. Odgers, who amassed 2,364 penalty minutes in 821 NHL games with the San Jose Sharks, Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche and Atlanta Thrashers between 1991 and 2003, helped hand out an award for athlete of the year and took part in a question-and-answer session, while Burke gave an entertaining hockey state of the union address that included his colourful opinions on John Scott’s selection as an NHL all-star, Johnny Gaudreau’s tag as a franchise player and the Flames’ unfortunate involvement with this year’s draft lottery, among other topics.
Chris Lewgood, head coach and general manager of the WCC host CanElson Drilling Estevan Bruins, said the two men have very different footprints in hockey, but both are blue-collar guys that people can relate to. He said they speak to the importance of community and hard work, making them perfect representatives of the tournament.
“Both my sons played in this tournament four years ago,” said Odgers, during a pre-banquet press conference, about his sons John and Dakota who suited up for the Yorkton Terriers at the 2012-13 WCC in Nanaimo, B.C. “The following year my older son (John) ended up retiring halfway through the year, became an assistant coach (with Yorkton) and they went on to win the RBC Cup. So, I’ve been able to follow it through as a dad of a couple players and then as a dad of a coach and I know what it’s done for the boys (with) the experience they had.”
Burke said the WCC is being scouted by representatives of various colleges and universities as well as a number of NHL teams. He said whenever a player steps onto the ice there is always someone watching or taking notes and an outstanding performance in a tournament has been proven to improve a prospect’s value, but they should also not worry too much if the puck doesn’t bounce their way.
“You remember Tommy Fitzgerald (who) played for (the New York Islanders),” said Burke during the press conference. “He was rated in the fourth round and they had a tournament at Providence College for draft eligible players and he tore it up and ended up being a first-round pick or a high second-round pick.
“Every scout loves tournaments because now it’s like okay you win or you go home and now we’ll find out who really wants to win. They are great indicators, but I don’t think a player having a poor performance here would undo a really great year up till now.”
The speaking engagement at the 2016 WCC Corporate Sponsor’s Appreciation Banquet marked the fourth time Burke has lent his time to helping out a cause in Estevan. He said every trip was made because the grassroots of hockey is small Prairie towns and cities and recognizing and encouraging the players and their participation in tournaments such as the WCC is a vital step in helping grow the game.
“Whether it be a practice, whether it be a game, whether it be a tournament, never look back and say ‘what if,’” said Odgers about what advice he’d offer to any players at the WCC. “I had the opportunity to play in the best league in the world, wasn’t the best player, but I got to do it for about 12 years. I got to ride around on a plane and eat shrimp with Joe Sakic, which was kind of cool, and you know I wouldn’t trade one day of it, one stitch, one broken bone for any of it because it was the best thing I’ve ever been able to do in my entire life. Don’t ever cheat yourself on the opportunity.”
In addition to the guest speakers, the banquet also featured the presentation of the Estevan athlete of the year awards. Bienfait-area baseball star Carson Perkins won the Boston Pizza male athlete of the year award, former Estevan Mermaid and current University of Regina Cougar synchronized swimmer Mackenzie Dahl took home the Boston Pizza female athlete of the year award, Estevan Archery Club trainers Ken Chipley and Monai Wanner were both awarded the Kinsmen Estevan volunteer coach of the year awards and Estevan Minor Hockey Association referee Alex Bechtold captured the Kim Anderson junior official of the year award.
Lewgood said the dinner was an exclusive engagement for the WCC sponsors to recognize the community businesses that step up to provide support for sport, recreation and leisure events such as the WCC. He said the 2016 WCC Corporate Sponsor’s Appreciation Banquet was the hockey world’s opportunity to thank these people.
