As the Steinbach Pistons get set for another season at the Southeast Event Centre, we’re continuing to highlight the fans and families who make game nights such a special part of the community.
For some fans, Pistons games are a lifelong tradition. For others, they are a newer experience that has quickly become part of their family routine. Regardless of how they got there, Pistons games have a way of bringing people together, both inside the rink and throughout Southeastern Manitoba.
Every Pistons fan has their own reason for coming to the rink. Through our Be A Part Of It campaign, we’re sharing some of those stories.
For Alisa and Shawn and their son, Leo, that experience began just over a year ago when the Southeast Event Centre opened its doors.
“We became season ticket holders when the event centre opened up, so just over a year,” Alisa says.
The family’s decision to become season ticket holders came at a time when hockey was quickly becoming a bigger part of their lives. Leo had started playing hockey, and the family found that Pistons games were a natural way to spend time together while supporting something Leo had grown to love
“Our son started playing hockey last year and so life started to revolve around hockey,” says Alisa. “So this was a great way that we get to be together as a family and get to enjoy what he loves so much.”
For Leo, the connection to hockey has continued to grow, and the Pistons have played a role in that.
“I actually don’t know why I wanted to become a hockey player, maybe because of the Pistons players,” Leo says.
Growing a love for hockey
For a young hockey fan, going to a Pistons game is about much more than simply watching the game. There are the players, the energy, the excitement when the home team scores. It is also great having plenty of opportunities for young fans to feel like they are part of the action.
Leo has already collected some memorable experiences during his first season as a Pistons fan.
When asked what some of his favourite parts of coming to games were, Leo points to the people around him: “My friends, the energy,” he says.
One of those memorable moments came when Leo was selected to be the 7th Skater, giving him the opportunity to step onto the ice alongside the Pistons.
“When Leo got to be 7th skater, that was definitely a cool experience seeing this guy go on the ice,” remembers Shawn.
That wasn’t the only memorable experience Leo had during the season.
“What else did you get from one of the Pistons players last year?” Shawn asks his son.
“I got a stick and a signed puck,” Leo replies.
And if Leo’s collection of Pistons memories is any indication, there are plenty more to come.
Over the course of the season, he made so many signs for Pistons players that he can’t even remember how many he made. Those are the kinds of moments that make junior hockey different.
Young fans have the opportunity to see players up close, get to know them throughout the season and create memories that can last well beyond a single game. While fans can build years — and sometimes decades — of memories at Pistons games, the experience means just as much to the players on the ice.
For many Pistons players, their time in Steinbach is only one to three years, with four years being the maximum they can spend with the organization. That makes every game, every interaction and every moment at the Southeast Event Centre an important part of their junior hockey experience and why we strive to create a great experience for the fans and players every game.
More than just a hockey game
For the family, becoming season ticket holders has also been about finding something they can enjoy together.
With busy schedules and hockey becoming such a big part of Leo’s life, Pistons games provide an opportunity for the family to spend quality time together while being surrounded by other people who share their passion for hockey. Alisa also believes the experience goes beyond their own family.
“I would say they should just come and give it a try,” she says. “It’s a great atmosphere close to home, so it is easier to come to. It’s affordable and a great time to be together as a community and with your family.”
That community atmosphere is something Shawn has noticed as well.
“I would say you get to see a lot of people that you don’t always see in your day to day,” he says. “And you kind of feel the community atmosphere, and I would say we’re looking forward to that.”
That sense of community is at the heart of the Pistons experience at the Southeast Event Centre. Game nights bring together families, friends, longtime fans and new fans from across Southeast Manitoba, creating an atmosphere that goes beyond what happens on the ice.
“That’s fun too”
For Leo, however, there are still some very important parts of the game that stand out.
“What about when they score?” Shawn asks.
“That’s fun too,” Leo replies.
And while the excitement of a Pistons goal might be difficult to top for a young hockey fan, the friendships and family time that come with each game are a big part of what keeps the family coming back.
When asked what might bring someone new to Pistons games, Leo has a simple answer: “My friends and making new friends,” he said.
That combination of hockey, friendships, family and community is exactly what the Pistons hope to create at the Southeast Event Centre.
Back at the Rink
After a summer away from the rink, the family is looking forward to getting back into their regular game-night routine.
“We are excited to be back at the rink,” Alisa says. “It was a good break, but overall to get back into hockey feels exciting and the Pistons are a part of that.”
For the family, the upcoming season is another opportunity to spend quality time together and continue making memories at the rink.
“And yeah,” adds Alisa, “it’s lots of family time like I said, so we’re excited to get that quality time in. We have seats with my husband’s parents, so it’ll be good to get that time together.”
That shared experience is one of the biggest reasons the Southeast Event Centre has quickly become more than just a place to watch hockey for the family. It has become a place where they can spend time together, see familiar faces, support Leo’s passion for hockey and feel connected to the broader community.
For the Pistons, that is exactly what Be A Part Of It is all about. It’s about creating an experience where fans of all ages can feel connected to the team, the players and the people sitting around them — while creating memories that keep them coming back.
Whether you’re bringing your family to the rink for the first time, looking for something to do with friends or continuing a tradition that has lasted for years, there’s a place for you at a Pistons game.
With the upcoming season just around the corner, now is the time to secure your seats and become part of the Pistons community at the Southeast Event Centre. If you’re interested in purchasing season tickets or would like more information about available seats, contact the Pistons office at [email protected] or visit the team’s ticket page online.
