An event meant to celebrate one of the province's longest running junior B hockey clubs and give people the opportunity to dress up and enjoy a night out, is just a few weeks away.
The St. Paul Jr. C Canadiens' alumni gala is set for Nov. 23. The day will begin with a regular NEAJBHL game at 2 p.m. that will see the current hockey team up against the Lloydminster Bandits. Prior to the game, long-time supporter of the Jr. B Club Pat O'Neill, will see a banner with his name lifted to the rafters at the Clancy Richard Arena, confirms Jr. B Canadiens' president Rick Austin.
Afterwards, an evening at the Rec. Centre will offer the community and club the chance to thank O'Neill for all his years of service with the club, says Austin. Cocktails for the formal event will begin at 5 p.m. The night will consist of supper, along with a variety of fundraising initiatives, such as live and silent auctions, a 50/50, and more.
The event is open to the public, but of course a focus was put on ensuring all the alumni from throughout the years were aware of the evening.
“We have invites out to all the alumni we could think of . . . that we have contacts for," said Austin.
"It’s meant to be an elegant evening out to celebrate the Jr. B organization in St. Paul with our community," says Roseann Brousseau, one of the organizers of the gala. "Everyone is welcome. We will have a live band and live auction. We are also excited for everyone to see the unveiling of the Alumni Lounge. It is an exclusive look at Jr. B memorabilia dating back to the '50s."
She explains that the lounge area will be set up for alumni and their guests.
"It’s exclusive to the event. (It) will only be available that evening, then it will be tucked away until next year's event," says Brousseau.
The night will include live entertainment by local band Second Son.
“It should be a great evening of celebrating," says Austin, adding, the club is hoping the event becomes an annual one, with more alumni attending as the years go on.
Austin admits that over the last few years, quite a few of the club's players have been brought in from outside the area. The board is now focusing on encouraging young hockey players to stick around town to play their junior years in St. Paul.
He adds that the best way to celebrate a team that's been around so long is to bring together the people who played for the team, and when looking at years past, many of those players did come from the community.
Austin says that so far, a lot of people have voiced interest in attending the alumni gala. Tickets for the event are $400 for a table of eight, or $60 for individual tickets.
“The meal is top of the line,” says Austin, adding that when you combing that with the entertainment, “It should be a good evening. I’m excited for it.”
To purchase tickets, call: Pierre deMoissac at 780-210-7441, or stop by 5510 57th Street between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Or call: 780-614-5892 or 780-645-9418.
