Three NHL stars visited Estevan on Saturday night, and the Power Dodge Curling Centre was packed. The annual Estevan Bruins Sportsmen Dinner was a night of hockey stories and great company.
The event featured Brian Skrudland, Joey Kocur, and Andre Roy, three hockey superstars who've earned their stripes in the NHL. Skrudland hoisted the coveted Stanley Cup twice in his 881-game career, once in 1986 with the Montreal Canadiens and the other time in 1999 with the Dallas Stars. Joey Kocur has three Cups on his record as a player (1994, 1997, 1998) and once as a coach (2002). He's also the second cousin to the new Bruins' head coach and general manager, Drew Kocur. Andre Roy completes the trio of speakers, boasting a Stanley Cup win with the Tampa Bay Lightning back in 2004.
Bruins play-by-play host and marketing director Marty Martinson grilled the players about their time on the ice. Mack Auction Company was also on hand to facilitate auctioning items and experiences throughout the night, which included signed jerseys from each of the guests, another signed game-worn jersey from Connor McDavid from the 4 Nations Face Off, as well as the opportunity to drive Roy and Skrudland to the airport the next morning.
Local artist Lauren Daae was also commissioned to create a portrait that was auctioned off at the event. It depicted a goal from captain Brady Wilson with an assist from Carter Onrait in the last game of the season for Estevan against the Weyburn Red Wings back on March 15.
Kocur recalled his time playing in Estevan as part of the Yorkton Terriers club in the early 80s. He jokingly shared that they were not great. "My first year in Yorkton, we lost Estevan in the playoffs in seven games at the old Civic Centre, so I didn't like Estevan at that time."
During the event, he noted the one coach who's made a huge impact in his hockey career. Kocur spoke highly of Gerry James, who was his coach in Yorkton in his early years in junior hockey.
"Gerry was one of the true mentors for my game. I loved him. I loved the way he coached. He liked the aggressive play, and he convinced me that playing tough was the way to go, and it turned out okay for me."
"The one thing I would say is Gerry told me early on in my career that if you ever want to do anything, go anywhere in hockey, or even get to the next level, you've got to do something better than anyone else does. And I started to fight a little bit, and I enjoyed it, and it didn't bother me. And in the end, that's what got me to the next level," Kocur added.
Skrudland had been part of fundraisers for the Bruins in the past. He said that he was glad to be back, thanks in part to Estevan's small-town charm. "Well, to be honest with you, it's small-town Saskatchewan. And the people, as I say, are the friendliest people in the entire world. I got to play junior hockey at home [Saskatoon], so I never really left my house until I was 19 years of age [when] I went down to the Maritimes for my first year of pro hockey. I always said that the Maritimers remind me of people out West. They're the kindest, friendliest, open their doors to everybody. I was always proud to come from Saskatchewan."
With 881 regular-season and 164 playoff games on his belt, Skrudland has seen the game through its peaks and valleys. He said hockey nowadays has changed compared to the period when he played.
"The athlete himself is a 12-month-a-year, hockey-specific trained athlete now. We used to say, and we really emphasized, I think a lot of guys my age emphasized the fact [to] get away from the game. Go play some golf, go play something else to get your mind even off that hockey. But now it's... just all about everyday training, making you better for that one specific sport."
"I thought I was going to have a heart attack in 1996 when we went into triple overtime. And now, [these athletes are] looking like they're still in the first period in the sixth period of a game. I mean, it's amazing stuff."
During their visit, the hockey veterans were able to tour Affinity Place. Roy was quite impressed with the facilities the Bruins played on every season.
"Unreal, I couldn't believe it. It's a Junior A team here. I asked twice, I was like, 'Really? This is unreal!'. First off, we looked at the rink. Unbelievable rink with the little suites on both sides. Wow, because I've seen a lot of barns in my days. Even the locker room, wow. Like I played in Pittsburgh, the old Mellon Arena, I think it was worse than their locker room. So the rink is nice, the players' lounge with the coaches -- A1. What a setup for players, so no excuses to lose."
For Roy, the changes he's seen in the game revolve around fighting on the ice. He noted that it's not so much about the lack of fighting, but rather the intensity of the hits players are taking on today. "I know there were all these lawsuits and these discussions of former players with concussions [and] CTE, but it's always been there. Even without fighting, it's the hits. Most of the time, the concussions are good, solid hits. It's fights, you rarely see guys get hurt. So I get that point from certain people, but I like to see some good old hockey."
"It's an intense sport, the adrenaline. I miss that little energy where you're down by three, four goals, make a statement. Be proud to wear the logo you're wearing and just prepare [for] the next game."
For the Bruins players in the room during the event, Roy had a simple message.
"I would say no matter what, set yourself a goal and always have a dream. I remember I played midget AA [for] two years. I was 17 years old. I got drafted in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. I just turned 18. That was my first year. I went to the Memorial Cup, and I got drafted that year. The following year, I came back 19 years old. I had an unreal career, and I was signed by the Boston Bruins. I was in the AHL, American Hockey League, at 20 years old. In the span of three years, it's unreal how things can happen and go your way. Just believe in your goals. I had a dream of playing in the NHL, no matter what."
The total proceeds from the event have yet to be finalized.