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Another Year in the Books

Article Courtesy of Jamie Roy of Steinbachonline.com – Picture Above: Roman Bengert receiving the Steinbach Dodge Chrysler Most Valuable Player Team Award

The Steinbach pistons celebrated their season with their year-end banquet and the team’s board of directors is pleased, overall, with the outcome of the year.

Secretary of the board Norm Paisley, says although the season ended a bit earlier than anticipated, it was a successful year for the club on and off the ice. He notes attendance was a key part of that.

“It’s been about four or five years now that we’ve lead the league in attendance and for sure this year again. We lead the league in attendance and good crowds also for the playoffs, great support. It’s a real fun and unique atmosphere for our players to play in front of Steinbach and the region. Close to 1000 people during league play and in excess of around 1100 for home playoff games.”

Paisley adds another big key to the team’s success is all the volunteers that make every game possible. 

“Just some great support locally with our volunteers night in and night out. Whether it’s a weekday, evenings or weekends or preparing for the playoffs. That turnaround from the regular season to the playoffs is very quick and our volunteers time and time again just keep supporting us. They’re really a big part of the team, we value them in the past, the present and obviously towards the future too.”

Paisley notes on ice play isn’t the only thing they teach their players. He says getting involved in the community is a large part of what they do as an organization and they transmit that to their players. Paisley says they’re not just developing hockey players, but also young men for their life after hockey.

“We want them to achieve their hockey goals while they’re with the Steinbach Pistons but also achieve life goals afterward. A lot of them are from out of town, and they’re billeted and we set the players up with billet families and many of them form relationships that last far beyond their playing career. It’s a pretty neat situation for the players that are able to achieve that.”

Paisley adds the board is anticipating another great year next and says they are looking forward to their annual golf tournament in August, which for them, is a kick-off for their season as the players begin returning to Steinbach.

The team hosted their year-end banquet Friday night to celebrate their season, saying thanks to the volunteers, fans, community and to the players.  They handed out their team awards and recognized their 20-year-old graduating players.