Local input, whether in business, politics or in community activities makes all the difference. That has been seen this past regular season with the Steinbach Pistons of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.
Before this season began a group of local business owners and residents came together to purchase the Pistons and to make it a truly locally owned team. The Pistons are the highest level of competitive sport that we have in the City of Steinbach and the local region and there was a desire from these community minded residents to make the team successful both on and off the ice.
The regular season for the team has proved that so far, it has been a winning formula. General Manager and Head Coach Paul Dyck and Assistant Coach Rob Smith, both local residents, have done a great job of improving the on ice product and building connections between the team and the community. At the games themselves, local volunteers help to collect tickets, sell merchandise, sell 50/50 tickets and do a number of other jobs to bring a true sense of local community spirit to the game day experience.
The Pistons this past week ended their regular season by clinching second place in the Addison Division with 31 wins, 25 losses and 4 overtime losses. That means they are in the playoffs for the first time in their Steinbach history and will take on the Portage Terriers to open the playoffs beginning on Friday at the arena in Steinbach.
Sports teams add something intangible to a community. They can help to channel tremendous local pride and community spirit. That is particularly true when the team and its ownership are a part of the community and the community in return feels a part of the team. That sense of local pride was evident a couple of weeks ago at the Pistons Fire and Ice fundraising banquet and has been growing throughout the year.
The Steinbach Pistons are still a relatively new team in the region and the ownership structure is new as well. But if this year is any indication, it is off to a great start and there is a solid foundation on which to build. I want to wish the Steinbach Pistons well in the MJHL playoffs and thank them and their ownership group for making our community better.
New Office Hours
My constituency office in Steinbach is now open Monday- Friday from 9:00 am until 4:15 pm. The location is still at 227 Main Street in Unit #3. Me and the staff at my office are there to offer you assistance with issues that you may have related to the provincial government. We look forward to serving you.
