View From the Legislature

This past week I was pleased to be able to attend the Steinbach Pistons annual “Fire and Ice” fundraising banquet.

Since moving the Manitoba Junior Hockey League franchise to Steinbach and becoming part of a local ownership group, the Pistons have become an important part of the community and region.

The dinner again demonstrated the winning formula that has made the team successful both on the ice and off of it.

A key highlight of the evening was the players themselves. Not only did they share a bit of their own stories and personalities, but it was clear that giving back through hours of community involvement was a key part of the Steinbach Pistons experience. And while many of the players strive to take their hockey skills to the next level, wherever that path leads the benefits of community involvement will last even longer.

That was one of the key messages from the evening’s guest speaker, Winnipeg Jets coach Paul Maurice. Maurice was the latest in a long list of excellent keynote speakers at the Piston’s annual dinner and engaged the crowd with his humor and reflections on hockey. Most of all, he urged the young Piston’s players to be thankful both for the opportunity to play but also for a community of people who support them in their efforts.

The combination of community support, giving back and gratitude showed partly why the Pistons have been a local success and is a model for success well beyond hockey. Congratulations to coach and general manager Paul Dyck and the entire organization on another successful Fire and Ice banquet.