The CanElson Drilling Estevan Bruins announced the featured guests of their annual Sportsman Dinner.
This year’s event on April 16 will feature Saskatchewan Roughrider quarterback Darian Durant along with Fox Sports anchor, and former TSN favourite, Dan O’Toole. Returning to as the evening’s emcee will be Rod Pedersen, play-by-play commentator for the Roughriders and host of The Sports Cage on 620 CKRM Regina.
The event will move into the Power Dodge Curling Centre.
Clark Munroe, operations and marketing director for the Bruins, the format for the evening will likely be similar to last year’s event, with Pederson hosting the Sports Cage from 4 to 6 p.m. followed by the dinner, speakers and the live auction.
“It’s a very important fundraiser for the team,” said Munroe. “It’s easily the biggest (fundraiser) for the team every year. It helps us close our year-end costs and move into next year. The Bruins have been very lucky in the past at the generosity of the community here.”
Estevan will be Durant’s only appearance in Saskatchewan this winter. The quarterback has been with the Roughriders since 2006 and the team’s starter since 2009. He is a two time CFL West Division All-Star and has been a part of two Roughrider Grey Cup Teams, 2007 and 2013. In 2010, Darian was the Roughriders’ candidate for Most Outstanding Player and is only one of two quarterbacks in Roughrider history to throw for more than 5,000 yards in a single season.
“It’s coming right off of spring camp for them, so it’s lucky timing for us that we were able to get him for our event,” said Munroe. “He’s an icon in this province, so we’re pretty excited that we were able to get somebody as big as him to come to our event.”
O’Toole started his broadcasting career as a play-by-play man for the Ottawa 67’s of the OHL. He then moved to Vancouver before heading to Fort McMurray where he was the play-by-play man for the Oil Barons. He moved back to Vancouver before landing on TSN where he almost immediately became a fan favourite. Over the next decade, O’Toole and Fox Sports counterpart Jay Onrait would form a duo that changed TSN, and they would go on to gain a huge following all over Canada. Since 2013, O’Toole has been the co-anchor for Fox Sports Live.
O’Toole was in Estevan for the Kraft Celebration Tour in 2011.
“He’s very excited to get here, and we’re very happy to have him,” said Munroe.
The 2014 Canadian Football League season was Pedersen's 16th as voice of the Saskatchewan Roughriders making him the longest-serving play-by-play man in franchise history. In addition to his duties as voice of the Riders, Rod hosts a daily sports talk-show known as The Sports Cage on 620 CKRM Regina.
Munroe said though the finer details are being worked out, Pedersen may host a Sports Cage in the Energy City prior to the dinner as has been done in the past.
Along with the panel of guests, the evening will also include dinner as well as the awarding of the Estevan and District Male and Female Athletes of the Year Award and the Volunteer Coach of the Year Award.
“It’s not just a celebration for us. It’s a celebration for the whole community. We’re happy that we’re able to bring that for everybody,” added Munroe.
The Bruins are still seeking items for the live and silent auctions, and those interested in donating may contact the Bruins’ office at 306-634-7730 or by e-mailing [email protected]
