The CanElson Drilling Estevan Bruins want a big crowd to come to their game tonight against the Melville Millionaires at Affinity Place to help them support injured hockey player Braden Pettinger.
Pettinger suffered a severe neck injury while playing with the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Portage Terriers earlier this season. In an effort to support the young hockey player in his time of need, the Bruins are partnering with several local businesses to guarantee a big 50/50 draw at tonight’s game, with the entirety of their portion going to Pettinger’s foundation.
“It’s one of those things where we’re lucky enough to get involved with on our end,” said Clark Munroe, director of operations and marketing for the Bruins. “It’s a cause that’s near and dear to our hearts. As a junior hockey team you never want to see a guy go down like that, so for us to be able to contribute to his foundation is very important to us and we’re hoping that the community and the business community in town here gets behind us as well.”
Munroe said a number of junior hockey clubs, including many from the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, are also getting involved in this initiative in any way they can. He said they’ve decided the best way to help out is to donate their portion of the 50/50, which will hold a guaranteed prize at a minimum of $3,000 with the potential to grow if more corporate sponsors come on board before the game.
“With a big 50/50 prize we’re hoping to gather a big crowd and as that crowd gets bigger the pot gets bigger as well,” he said. “That way we will be able to give more money away to the winner and donate more money to the foundation as well. That’s why we say it’s a $3,000 minimum. We’re going to hopefully reach that amount and continue to grow it as the night continues.”
