CANORA - Canora will be in the spotlight province-wide after being selected to host the 17th annual Hockey Day in Saskatchewan, presented by Richardson Pioneer.
This annual celebration of hockey and community will come to Canora from Jan. 14 to 19, 2025. Saturday, Jan. 18, will be designated as the official Hockey Day in Saskatchewan.
The big announcement was made in Canora by Hockey Saskatchewan General Manager Kelly McClintock, who has been with Hockey Sask. for over 30 years.
“We go to small communities and celebrate the game of hockey in small-town Saskatchewan,” said McClintock while making the announcement at Canora Composite School on Oct. 30. “We select a community working on a worthwhile community rink-related project, and Canora is looking to build a new community rink.”
He said Hockey Day will include U18 AAA boys and girls hockey games in Canora.
Each year, Hockey Saskatchewan contacts Minor Associations in a designated Zone. For the 2024/25 season that was Zone 4. Four applications were received, and “Canora’s was deemed the best of those received.”
Following McClintock to the podium was Stacy Vangen, Canora Minor Hockey President.
“We are so grateful to Hockey Saskatchewan for selecting our bid,” said Vangen. “While it’s definitely important to raise money for our new rink, it’s also a great opportunity for our community to come together to celebrate this special event.”
Also speaking were Coach Jason Gordon and Captain Tanner Wiens of the U18 AAA Maulers, who will be facing off against the Regina Pat Canadians in Canora as part of Hockey Day festivities.
“Many outstanding hockey players from Canora have played for the Maulers over the years,” said Gordon.
Wiens added, “This reminds us of how important minor hockey is to a community. Let’s make this an unbelievable Hockey Day in Saskatchewan.”
Fittingly, following the speeches there were a pair of high-energy floor hockey games involving CCS students and staff, along with guests from Hockey Saskatchewan, Town of Canora, Richardson Pioneer (sponsor) and the U18 AAA Yorkton Maulers.
After the announcement, Kelly McClintock said he enjoyed the large turnout and the energy at CCS.
“We always want to see some interaction from kids on the U18 AAA teams that will be competing in in the event and school kids from the host community so that excitement is generated. What the announcement also does is it signals to the business community in Canora that the event is coming, and it becomes easier for the host community to attract sponsors for the event.”
McClintock had some advice for the host committee, as well as everyone else in Canora and the surrounding area.
“Have fun!” he encouraged. “Create a welcoming environment. Make everyone walk away speaking about what a great experience they had at the event and in the community!”
Canora Mayor Mike Kwas was one of the Town of Canora representatives who were excited to hear the big announcement.
“We think that this is just fantastic that Canora was selected to host Hockey Day in Saskatchewan, what a positive event for our community and to help with our fundraising efforts in hopes of constructing a multi-use facility for everyone to enjoy of all ages!
“The amount of sponsors that have shown interest in this event already has been overwhelming and we’d like to thank them for supporting this kick-start fundraiser.”
In the works since April
Stacy Vangen said one of the biggest challenges of the whole experience was not giving the big news away until the announcement was made.
“I received the call from Kelly McClintock with Hockey Sask back in April,” said Vangen. “When he told me Canora was selected to host Hockey Day I was shocked and thrilled. Kelly quickly told me our committee had to keep the announcement under wraps until the formal announcement would be made this fall. We have been anticipating this announcement and are so excited to get the word out.”
Vangen said their proposal included “a detailed event schedule, a budget for all events, projected sponsorship requests and how the community would be involved. We were hopeful through the whole process but we also recognized that other communities would be applying to host Hockey Day 2025.”
More than just hockey
The event is a big opportunity for Canora, according to Vangen, “to work together as a community and celebrate all of our local teams. We look forward to welcoming visiting teams and visitors from other communities to Canora.”
Even though Hockey Day 2025 is exciting news for local hockey players and fans alike, Vangen said it’s about much more than just hockey.
“It is about community, coming together and celebrating what makes Canora special. While the majority of the events are hockey-focused there will be other events to enjoy. We will have a bonfire in King George Park on Jan. 15, a wing night Jan. 16, a fundraising gala banquet Jan. 17, nondenominational church service Sunday, Jan. 19, followed by Sunday brunch, and the Canora Skating Club will host Battle of the Blades Sunday afternoon. For that event, think Dancing with the Stars but the skating version. People can look forward to checking out what’s going on and also coming down to the Civic Center to connect with neighbours, family and friends.”
Between now and the start of Hockey Day 2025, Vangen said there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.
“Anyone wanting to volunteer can reach out and message any board member or message us on the Facebook page or email [email protected].
“We still have a few sponsorship packages available. We will have banquet tickets for sale soon, along with merchandise, raffle items, 50/50, silent auction, and more. People can follow Canora Minor Hockey on Facebook, check out canoraminorhockey.com or go to our event website trellis.org/hockey-day-in-saskatchewan.”
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we hope to see people come down and say they were a part of Hockey Day 2025,” concluded Vangen.
Fundraiser for the future
The funds raised during this event, according to a Hockey Saskatchewan release, will help the community as it embarks on a transformative plan to replace the town’s aging Civic Centre, which has been the heartbeat of Canora hockey since the 1960s.
In Canora, the local rink has played a pivotal role in uniting the town, with residents gathering there for six cold months of the year to celebrate hockey. However, as the facility nears the end of its service life, the town is preparing for the construction of a new multi-use community centre. This new facility will not only serve as the heart of hockey in Canora but also as a community hub, with plans to include a gym, walking track, community hall, and athlete training spaces.
This marks a hat trick for Zone Four, with Balcarres hosting HDIS in 2018 and Melville serving as a previous host in 2012.
HDIS was held in Kinistino last season and was able to raise $112,000 for renovations to its community rink. Since the inception in 2008, 16 events have amassed over $1.4 million to help keep the province’s rinks alive and well, concluded the release.
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