CARLYLE - A new sign honouring those from Carlyle has been erected just beside the Carlyle Curling Club/Golf Club parking lot.
Six local talents have been selected for their dedication and excellence in their field. The sign is 10 feet high and 24 feet wide, and it can be viewed when entering Carlyle from the east on Highway 13.
A previous sign was erected in 2002 featuring the pictures of Jim McKenzie and Brenden Morrow, two Carlyle hockey products who went on to play in the NHL. It commemorated the success of a series of fundraising golf tournaments from 1999-2004 that generated $150,000 for recreation facilities in the community,
Over the past twenty years, the original sign had decayed and was desperately needing an upgrade. Lorrie Lequyer, who was part of the original fundraising committee, decided to do something about it and got the wheels in motion to construct a new sign.
“The pictures were in dire need of repair and required replacement. We received suggestions to add more names and pictures and our selection committee decided on six.”
Joining McKenzie are brothers Cale and Haydn Fleury, who have both played in the NHL, local Para-athlete Carter Morris, and auctioneer Ward Cutler.
McKenzie, 53, is the son of Larry and Myrna McKenzie. McKenzie played for 15 seasons in the NHL and won the Stanley Cup in 2002-03 with the New Jersey Devils. He is now scouting for the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights.
“I am humbled and honoured to be a part of the group on this sign,” said McKenzie. “Growing up in Carlyle had a profound impact on me and my career. But I don’t remember getting old.”
Morrow, 43, is the son of Dick and Lucille Morrow. He played 991 games in the NHL, the majority of which were with the Dallas Stars. He won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.
Cutler is a world-renowned auctioneer and is the son of Barb and the late Gord Cutler. For 25 consecutive years, he has been the auctioneer at the Carlyle District Lions Club’s annual supper and auction.
“I am totally honoured to have my picture put in place alongside some great homegrown talent. When anyone asks, ‘Where you from?’ my answer is always the same. I own a house in Virden, Manitoba but my home is Carlyle, Saskatchewan. And I am very proud of home.”
Hadyn and Cale Fleury are the sons of John and Sandra, and both are defencemen who have played the NHL. Hadyn, 26, was a first-round draft pick of the Carolina Hurricanes in 2014 and has played 219 games in the NHL. He is now with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Cale, 23, was drafted in 2017 and has played 50 games in the NHL with both the Montreal Canadiens and now the Seattle Kraken.
“We are very honoured to have our boys on the new sign. We have very fond memories from our time in Carlyle and these will always hold a special spot in our hearts,” said the Fleury brothers’ parents.
Carter Morrison, 18, is the son of Trevor and Lisa Morrison. He is a well-known local athlete who in 2016 was the Ronald McDonald House ambassador at the Olympics Games held in Brazil. He has recently competed in both a Canadian All Abilities Golf Championship (2021) and a Paralympic Table Tennis Championship (2022).
“I am so honoured to be included on the sign and to be one of the faces of this town,” said Morrison.
Lequyer has been extremely pleased at how everything has come together.
“We really wish to thank the Town of Carlyle for jumping on board with this project,” she said. “Duncan Brown deserves a huge pat on the back for all his work. We were able to use his airplane hangar for painting the structure and hanging the pictures. A big thank-you to Dennis Feduk, Lois Paul and Mike Makelki for helping with the painting and construction. Dana Brown of Amped Welding did a great job of framing and welding and of course my employer Top Dog Promotions for providing me with the resources needed. And I can’t forget thanking the family members and the Dallas Stars for supplying us with these incredibly clear photographs, and BK Creations for the design and production of the panels.”
The refurbished sign is not yet finished. The top portion must be added with the caption reading “Carlyle, Proud Home of …” and will be completed next spring.
Concluded Lequyer, “By June of 2023, we would like to honour the new sign with a formal christening, celebration, and who knows, perhaps another golf tournament for old times’ sake. Hopefully those that are being recognized can be all in attendance that day.”
