Message from Saskatchewan Hockey Association General Manager, Kelly McClintock
The Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Swift Current in the recently renovated iplex. Each year, there will be an induction dinner that will be held in locations throughout the province to allow everyone in Saskatchewan the opportunity to be involved in this initiative and to contribute to the fundraising efforts to maintain and promote the Hall and the game.
2012-13 the SHA celebrates its 100th season of existence in the province and the opening of the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame is one of the key events that has been held throughout that year to celebrate the game. Our great game is an integral part of the culture woven throughout every community in this province and the local town or village arena serves as the gathering place for people of every age. With winter being a five month or longer season in our Province, our Sport and the Community rinks assist all of us in facing those cold windy days with the anticipation of watching our children, our teens or even the local Senior Hockey stars participate in the activity they love so much while at the same time socializing with our relatives, friends and acquaintances from neighboring communities. You could enter an arena in any community in this province on any given night and meet someone you would have a connection with through the game and enjoy the time you spend there.
There is one aspect of game that in the past few years we have not done a very good job at and that is acknowledging the contributions and accomplishments of volunteers, team officials, teams and players within the sport. We haven’t done a good job at promoting the positive aspects of the sport. We need to show young parents that this game can be an awesome experience for the young son and daughter or for them as a volunteer administrator, a coach, a referee, or simply as a supportive hockey parent. The opening of the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame allowed us to do that, to promote the game; to promote the good stories involved with hockey. We will obviously acknowledge the players and teams who have achieved the highest levels and accomplishments they can within the sport globally, but it also allows us to recognize those people who have contributed at the grassroots level throughout the province to ensure people get to experience the game. We all know of that special someone in each community who goes the extra mile with the organization of the arena kitchen; organizing the local Minor Hockey Association; being the rink caretaker and ensuring that kids throughout the province have the opportunity to simply get out on the ice and participate in a safe, fun environment.
I would like to thank all of the individuals who have volunteered to be a member of the Hall’s Board of Directors and special thanks to Mick for leading the “charge” and to Jerrod, thank you to the City of Swift Current for their commitment to house the Legacy of our sport in the Province.
