The Steinbach Pistons partnered with the Southeast Event Centre to create a fun and memorable experience for students across the Southeast.
Pistons Director of Business Operations Kevin Geisheimer explains that a November game against the Winnipeg Blues had been postponed due to weather. After struggling to find a new date, both teams agreed on a mid-day puck drop and decided to turn it into a special event for local schools.
“We did that last year in La Broquerie with a postponed game, and it worked out pretty cool, but now we could do it at a whole other level in this building.”
Nearly 2,000 students in attendance
Although some schools were unable to make it on short notice, the turnout was still impressive. A total of 1,900 students from five schools, along with a homeschool group, filled the stands.
“There were some that raised their hand really quickly. And so, we saw the energy early and the excitement just built until what we were able to achieve,” he says. “We had students from Blumenort, Mitchell Middle School. We had from Woodlawn School, Elmdale School, Parkhill School were here, and then a group from the local homeschoolers in the region.”
The event was designed to be accessible for both students and families.
Geisheimer says admission was completely free for students, and about 180 additional people attended. Adult tickets were available for purchase, but youth attending with them got in for free, making it largely a no-cost community event.
Corny Rempel with Mrs Friesen from Woodlawn School (left) and Mrs. Rahi from Elmdale School (right) facing off in a game day contest.To make the logistics work smoothly, organizers coordinated closely with Hanover School Division on transportation plans.
“It all worked great. So, kudos to the Southeast Event Centre team as well. They’re a big part of helping us coordinate and make this happen from a Pistons perspective.”
Energy from the very start
Geisheimer says that even before the puck dropped, it was clear the game would be memorable.
“You could hear the kids chanting, ‘Go, Pistons, go!’ And the excitement was at another level in warmups. Then you knew it was going to be something pretty special. And there were only like 300 or 400 kids in the building at that time, and we weren’t even full yet. You could tell the energy was there in warmups, the signs, and everything. You could tell it was going to be a special game.”
That excitement only grew once the arena filled.
“When we told them to jump up and dance, everybody jumped up and danced. When we told them to cheer for their teacher, when we had the different contests going on the ice, all the kids just were yelling and cheering. It wasn’t just cheering, like they were screaming at the top of their lungs,” explains Geisheimer.
A special atmosphere for the players
He says the players felt the difference too, feeding off the crowd’s energy throughout the game.
“They thought it was great. We have such great fans here on a regular basis anyways, but this one just felt a little different. You could tell that some of the guys, after they scored goals, I think Greenwell did a 6-7 dance trying to get the crowd into it, and even Gradt was doing some fun things. I think the guys definitely knew it was special and they were trying to engage with the kids whenever they could.”
Bringing the community together
Looking back, Geisheimer says the event was something special for everyone involved and a proud moment for the organization, especially given how quickly it all came together.
“It says it on the wall in the building, ‘Bringing People Together.’ And I think we did that. We brought the community together in a unique way that has never been done here in Steinbach. And so, I think that’s what this new Southeast Event Centre allows us to do, and the Pistons using the vehicle of hockey to do that.”
Article courtesy of Steinbachonline.com – Photos courtesy of Patrick Friesen
