Estevan will host an NHL player and Stanley Cup champion this weekend, with the Estevan-born skater stepping onto the ice at Affinity Place for a free skate. Brayden Pachal, who won the Stanley Cup in 2023 with the Vegas Golden Knights and currently plays with the Calgary Flames, grew up playing hockey in the city.
Coming back to be a part of the hockey community, even for one day, is a big deal for him, as his mother helped set up the skate.
"I think somebody in the community reached out to my mom to do it, and it's kind of a no-brainer for me. It's always nice to come back home and give back to the community when I can."
He'll be skating with some younger fans and current hockey players, and Pachal hopes to inspire some of those kids to pursue their hockey dreams.
"I think it'll just be cool to see everybody come out. I hope that it may give some of the younger kids in Estevan a little bit of hope. Kind of seeing where I am and where I came from, and like I said, just kind of giving back to the community."
Pachal says he would have loved the opportunity to skate with an NHL player, like his hero, Sydney Crosby, when he was younger.
Growing up in Estevan and playing with Estevan Minor Hockey was an important stepping stone for Pachal's career.
"I played my entire career up until midget in Estevan, and there are a lot of people and coaches who gave their time and helped me get to where I am today. So I'm super thankful to grow up in Estevan and definitely wouldn't change it for the world."
The skate takes place at Affinity Place from 3-4 p.m., with dressing rooms opening at 2:45 p.m.