Supportive fans of the Weyburn Red Wings sold out the McKenna Auditorium on January 21 for the 10th annual Weyburn Red Wings Sports Dinner and Auction. The event, which featured three celebrated athletes, raised approximately $40,000 for the team.
A large contribution to the fundraiser included a live auction, with big sellers including two trips for two to Boston with tickets to Bruins games, each selling for $5,000. An autographed Wayne Gretzky rookie photo sold for $3,300.
The event also included donated raffle items from local businesses and 38 silent auction items.
Sports greats in attendance were Hockey Hall of Famer Brad Park, former defenseman for the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings; Catriona Le May Doan, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist for Speed Skating and Wes Cates, all-star running back for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
"Anytime a Hall of Famer speaks, we should definitely be listening," said Red Wings team member Thomas Carleton in anticipation of Brad Parks? words of advice. "We may even have to take a few notes."
Finding a good dentist is half of the game, according to Brad Park, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988 as soon as he had become eligible.
Park was visiting Weyburn for the first time and was happy to be a part of the event. He signed items of memorabilia from his extensive career, which were sold during the auction that evening. Included was a jersey that sold for $1,750 at the auction. Park's rookie card and puck, along with other items, were sold as part of the silent auction.
Park said he was in attendance 'to entertain the kids', but that he hoped to encourage the players to get a handle on the theory of the game, to know what works and why.
"The more they think about it, the better they'll do," said Park. He said that players who can solve in-the-moment puck negotiations will be ahead of the game.
According to CFL All-Star running back Wes Cates, who has played five seasons for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and assisted the much-adored team to win the Grey Cup in 2007, being in the moment is indeed the secret to success, as is staying grounded.
"At the end of the day it's just a game that you've been playing since you were little," said Cates. "It's a bigger stage, it's more intense and there are better athletes, but it's the same game. So you've got to keep yourself grounded in that sense."
"Anything worth doing isn't going to be easy, it's going to be a tough road and there's going to be a lot of obstacles that you have to face and overcome," added Cates. "But you just stay true to yourself and work hard and when you put forth the effort you can do pretty much whatever you set your mind to do."
An autographed canvas print of Wes Cates in action was auctioned for $2,600 and a Roughriders football signed by Cates sold for $2,500.
Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Catriona Le May Doan, who is originally from Saskatoon, is no stranger to public speaking. Her career as a Canadian Champion has led her into broadcasting and she will soon be in London as a broadcaster for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
Le May Doan advises that players be flexible in how they define success.
"We don't know what's ever going to happen," said Le May Doan. In 1994, during her very first Olympic Games, she fell during the 500 metre race and placed last. If she had counted herself a failure, she would not have persevered and earned herself the gold medal in 1998 and then again in 2002, nor would she still hold the honour of being the only Canadian to ever defend a gold medal in the Olympics.
Le May Doan said that the hard work one puts into preparing for the performance on game day is what may actually define success.
"I like to remind people that these medals are 3 minutes out of 23 years," she said.
Le May Doan, who also authored a book about her experience with the Olympics, acknowledged that the young hockey players in attendance would be facing some difficult decisions in the years to come and that they're at the age where they may be dealing with some tough situations. Her advice was also to stay true to what they want to do and to be clear about the choices they make.
"What will you look back on with no regret?" Le May Doan asked rhetorically to emphasize the impact of daily decisions and path choices. Having no regrets is indeed great advice for planning a successful career in not only athletics but any direction one might choose.
Knowing the game, being in the moment, being grounded, staying determined and working hard are practices that guarantee success, according to high-calibre athletes in attendance that night.
For the Red Wings Dinner and Auction, having such devoted supporters putting forth a great turn-out of 240 people also guarantees success. According to Ryan Williams, President of the Weyburn Red Wings, this year's event was the most successful one to date.
"Our 10th Annual was our best-ever sports dinner so we're very proud of that and a big thank you to everyone," said Williams.
