Content Provided By: Steinbach Online
The Steinbach Pistons were celebrated at the annual Fire & Ice Fundraising Banquet on Tuesday.
Players, fans, and supporters came together to enjoy a night at the Niverville Heritage Centre.
President of the Steinbach Pistons Grant Lazaruk says every year they get huge support, and it was amazing to see that continued at this year’s banquet.
“We need support of the community. This club needs support, our Event Centre needs support, so seeing this feels really, really good. And of course I have to thank Paul Dyck and the staff and all the volunteers.”
He says having so many people care so deeply for the team has a huge impact on the players.
“Chambers, that was the best speech that I’ve heard from a young man, and it was really good. It was thoughtful and he addressed everything that he needed to address. It’s an example of what he appreciates and what the players appreciate from our community.”
He says it was great to have speakers like Buck Pierce and Bob Irving come out.
“It’s guys that made an awesome career of what their talents are, and that’s a great example for most of the players that are going to play for us. It’s about life, and we’re not going to all be Gretzkys, but they get an opportunity to see what Bucks career is, that’s really cool for him to share that.”
Head Coach Paul Dyck says this year’s banquet was an incredible evening.
“Every year, we’re like, ‘it’s tough to top’, and I think some of the people that came in tonight they felt it might have been the best one we’ve had for different reasons.”
Like Lazaruk, he says it was great to hear from Pierce and Irving.
“I was really looking forward personally to hearing their story. And the amount of success they’ve had the last four years, and being in four consecutive Grey Cups is so hard to do,” he says. “And then Bob Irving, that voice is so recognizable. As a child, I used to listen to a lot of bomber games, and everyone knows the voice. To have a chance to spend some time with him, it’s just a really special person behind that voice too.”
At the banquet, the community really came through with donations.
Dyck says it means a lot to see how much the community cares about the Steinbach Pistons.
“We have a huge need here with the project that we’re facing right now, but I believe we raised probably just shy of $150,000 in about 10 minutes time, so just truly humbling.”
He says he couldn’t be more thankful for the support they receive.
“It’s been 12 years going on and we’re at an exciting stage heading into a new building, so we’re looking forward to that and that next chapter.”
He says the new building will be able to have 2,400 fans in there at a time.
“So we’re not going to be capped at 1,500 in the playoffs or 1,450 as the Fire Marshall would say. So 2,400 with standing room of 3000. We’re excited about the potential of playing in front of 3000 fans in Steinbach.”
Dyck says the returning players have a good understanding of the support they receive, and the banquet really helps solidify that understanding for new players.
“A lot of the guys feel like this is home away from home, and this just kind of solidifies that. I’m sure for our first year players, it might be a little eye opening, its the first time they’ve been in a formal setting like this, where it was first class, it really was.”
He says it was truly a magnificent event.
“When you walked into the room, it felt like you were at a black tie affair at one of the top hotels in New York City.”
Special Guest Broadcasting legend Bob Irving is very impressed by the community support surrounding the Pistons.
“I’m blown away by the organization, the success they’ve had on the ice is mind boggling. Now they’re building the new arena, and I can feel how the community is embracing the team here. It’s been a special night for me to see how well this whole operation functions.”
Special guest Former Blue Bombers Quarterback and now Offensive Coordinator Buck Pierce says it’s incredible how much the community backs up the Steinbach Pistons.
“I think it shows why they’ve been so successful. You get people that are passionate about the team, want to support the organization, and understanding an event like this, what it can do, not just for the players but for the longevity of success that this team is going to have.”
He says it’s exciting to the City of Steinbach really investing in their hockey program.
“I think it’s excellent. It’s longevity, it’s stability. My kids are still young now, but to be able to take them to Piston games and other arenas across this great province, that’s an exciting thing for me. I think the future is bright, especially in junior hockey and the MJHL.”
Pierce says it was great to be able to share his story with the boys at the banquet.
“Every athlete journey is a little bit different, but for myself with the injuries, it’s important to understand that you’ve got to be able to learn from those things and you got to be able to continue to persevere and push through those things for what you want,” he says. “My whole life I’ve kind of had that mentality of just fighting against adversity, and to be able to transition from a player to a coach in the same city and with the same organization that has brought me so much joy, that’s a dream come true for me.”