Tag: Sport

Wheelchair Rugby Festival Preps Prairie Teams for Nationals 

By Ryan Flaherty for Sask Lotteries 

It’s part tune-up, part fellowship and a whole lot of fun. 

The Saskatchewan Wheelchair Rugby Festival returned to Regina in April, pitting teams from across the prairies against each other in a tournament that served both as preparation for the 2025 national championships and as a showcase and celebration of the sport. 

Originally known as murderball, wheelchair rugby is a contact sport played predominantly by quadriplegic athletes. It combines elements of basketball, rugby and hockey, with the games featuring plenty of intense, physical action as two teams of four try to outscore each other by carrying the ball across their opponents’ goal line. 

Team Saskatchewan won the Division 2 gold medal at last year’s national championships and having the chance to prepare for this year’s event by squaring off against top teams from other provinces was invaluable, as the squad looks to claim more hardware in 2025. 

The second annual festival featured Team Sask, the Winnipeg 76ers and Edmonton Steel Wheels playing a total of six games over two days. To help ensure a successful event, Sask Lotteries provided funding support that helped cover facility rental costs and the hiring of officials. 

While the tournament served as a great development opportunity for the seven Saskatchewan athletes who suited up, they weren’t the only ones who gained from the experience. 

“(The festival) introduces Saskatchewan to athletes and teams from outside of our province, creates training opportunities for coaches, officials and classifiers, and increases awareness of the sport and the athletes that play it,” explained festival chair Elijah Corpuz, who also serves as the Saskatchewan Wheelchair Sports Association’s (SWSA) regional program coordinator for southern Saskatchewan. 

SWSA boasts roughly 150 members throughout the province who compete in a variety of sports including rugby and that number is increasing each year. Whether they’re just starting out or competing at the highest levels of their given sport, the benefits to participation are numerous. On top of the positive health implications that come from physical activity, Para sports can offer a chance to return to a competitive setting, especially for athletes recovering from injury. 

And the list goes on. 

“From learning valuable lessons about both sport and life through peer interactions, to enjoying the social connections that come with human engagement,” Corpuz said. “Additionally, trying different Para sports allows individuals to discover their true passion.” 

Not to mention providing opportunities to travel and achieve success in sport, much like Team Sask did at last year’s wheelchair rugby national championships. And with another successful festival in the books, the squad is excited for the chance to achieve some more when they head to the 2025 edition of nationals May 29 to June 1 in Montreal.

The legacy of Bruce Vance

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The effects of volunteerism are far reaching, producing long-lasting and positive impacts that are felt by communities and local individuals for years.

Prince Albert’s Bruce Vance is a shining example of the legacy that is built from volunteering in the amateur sport community.

Even while battling cancer and undergoing 50 rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, Bruce continued volunteering until he passed on October 18, 2024.

His dedication to Prince Albert’s amateur sport community continues to live on and is felt by the many individuals he volunteered alongside, some of whom have shared a few words regarding their time with Bruce and the legacy he left.

Bruce coaching the one of many softball teams
Bruce and Liane
Liane Vance witnessed her husband dedicate his heart and time to various organizations throughout their marriage. She was able to watch his passion for volunteerism thrive for many years and supported Bruce through it all. Here is what Liane shared about Bruce’s journey as a volunteer:

“Bruce had a genuine love for people and community and that made him a natural born leader and volunteer. This started at a very young age, as I am told stories of how he would organize street hockey and other sports in his neighbourhood, where he grew up in Tillsonburg, Ont. In high school he was elected as the youngest Prime Minister at his school and set to organizing events for the betterment of his school and the students.


That’s where it all started, and volunteering just continued to be a very important part of his life. He never really thought he was doing anything special he just wanted to lend a hand and offer his expertise where he could. One of his sayings he had was ’Go big or go home.’ This is how he set about helping to organize successful events. He would always think of how he could make the experience better and his genuine connection with people would bring it all together. His impact was felt in every community where he lived.”

Bruce and Felix Casavant dedicated significant time to the amateur softball community in Prince Albert, working together for the Senior Men’s Worlds Softball Qualifier and Championship.

“Bruce was a tireless volunteer who was always willing to do anything that your committee required to make sure the event was a success. He would also want to put in some extra effort to make the event even more special for teams and players who came from all over Canada and the world to play softball in Prince Albert. Bruce was a remarkable human being. I greatly admire the energy and enthusiasm he consistently demonstrated during his volunteer engagements. He is just simply the BEST as a person, volunteer and as a community-minded citizen of Prince Albert, who would always go that extra mile to showcase the city he was so proud of.

I know Bruce will be watching from above to make sure the World Cup in 2025 is a success. We will all honour him by having all our volunteers bare his initial on their t-shirts and he has been named as our Honorary Chair for the 2025 Men’s World Cup Final being held in Prince Albert, July 8-13, 2025.”

Ellen Grewcock volunteered with Bruce for a decade on the board of the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame and in other capacities.

“His presence in our community was beyond what I have seen, whether he was on the ball diamond coaching, at the Raider games organizing special events, involved on a committee to bring events to Prince Albert or organizing them once the city was selected to host.

I worked with Bruce during the 2014 Winter Games and as usual you could see him doing many things beyond what his role was. Bruce was instrumental in bringing the 55+Senior Games to Prince Albert and when we were selected to host, little did he know it would be a two-plus-year commitment as the Games were cancelled in March of 2020, before eventually continuing in 2022. Bruce stayed with the committee and never missed a meeting in spite of his battle with cancer.”

Al Dyer volunteered alongside Bruce on and off for years, first meeting in 2003. Their recent time together was dedicated to the 2023 Esso Cup, Special Olympics fundraising and work with the Prince Albert Bears.

“It was phenomenal how much treatment he received and how strong he remained throughout everything. I mean he would show up if he made a commitment. He would make it happen…he always showed up, he was always there and it’s a testament to the fact that he felt so terrible and he would be giving 110 per cent. That was the foundation of everything, that he did it not for himself, but for the good of the community or the organization that he was volunteering for.

He would rally and his spirit, it’s just the strength of character that he had; that he would never let his disease hold him back, or anybody back. He didn’t want anybody to feel sorry for him when he was ill.”

Lyle Karasuk knew Bruce for many years, recalling that the two first connected at a community event. Most recently, Karasuk and Bruce volunteered together with Relay for Life.

“Whether it is local, provincial or national events, Prince Albert has hosted quite a few and Bruce was part of them all.

Commitment and dedication were at the heart of Bruce’s participation, more evident when Bruce was first diagnosed with cancer. Bruce was then the business manager for the Prince Albert Raiders Hockey Club and the organization had rallied around Bruce by appointing a team, Team Bruce! While the day came for the Relay event, a beautiful sun-shining moment, teams began arriving in Prime Ministers Park to set up their camp sites. As the day progressed and more people arrived team captain Bruce was nowhere to be found. Turns out Bruce had his very first chemotherapy treatment that day. It was doubtful he’d be there. As the time for Opening Ceremonies got closer, Bruce arrived. Yep, knowing his colleagues were there for him, he came home from his first chemo treatment and went straight to the Relay for Life event.”

National Volunteer Week April 27 – May 3

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Saskatchewan’s sport, culture and recreation system is nourished by the province’s 330,000 volunteers and from Apr. 27 – May 3, the dedication of volunteers will be celebrated across the country under the theme of ‘Volunteers Make Waves.”

It is because of volunteers’ commitment that Sask Lotteries’ funding can make a difference in volunteer-led sport, culture and recreation programs.

Sask Lotteries knows that every second a volunteer gives to the community, an innumerable number of individuals feel the impact. As part of the celebration, Sask Lotteries, along with Sask Sport is saying thank you to the volunteers in Saskatchewan, who help make the more than 12,000 lottery-funded sport, culture and recreation activities possible.

When thanking volunteers on social media, organizations are encouraged to use the hashtags: #VolunteersMakeWaves, #NVW2025

For more information on the week and access to National Volunteer Week assets, check out Sask Sport.

New Equipment Making Mass-ive Difference At Ignite Weightlifting Club 

By Ryan Flaherty for Sask Lotteries 

For more than a century, Olympic weightlifting was a sport reserved only for men. Any women who wished to take part were relegated to smaller, amateur competitions or their own fitness pursuits. But as with many sports, the modern era has seen a significant shift towards gender equality, and since women’s weightlifting was added to the Olympic program at the 2000 Summer Games, women’s participation has grown by leaps and bounds. 

Despite that growth, some female weightlifters still face challenges accessing the proper equipment for training. Male and female athletes use barbells of different weights — 20-kilograms for men, 15-kg for women — and most gyms and training facilities only supply the former.  

Fortunately for members of the Ignite Weightlifting Club in Saskatoon, that’s no longer the case. Thanks to support from the Sask Sport Member Assistance Program (MAP) Grant, which is funded through Sask Lotteries, the club was able to acquire barbells that have the same weight, diameter and tensile strength as those used in competition. 

That’s huge for a club whose membership is more than 95% female, says the head of strength and conditioning at Ignite Athletics. 

“Now they are able to train on appropriate equipment that will improve the specificity of what they will be using in a real competition setting,” Donovan Dale said. 

Photo of an athlete lifting weights
Photo of an athlete preforming an press lift.
Photo of an athlete preforming a squat.

The nature of weightlifting’s two events, the snatch and the clean and jerk, is such that barbells are routinely dropped to the ground after being lifted above an athlete’s head. That means both the barbells and the specialized plates on either end, which weigh anywhere from 0.5-kg to 25-kg each, need to be durable. The MAP Grant allowed the club to not only purchase the correct, gender-specific equipment it needed, but also the kind that will stand the test of time. 

With the right gear in place, Dale is confident that the Ignite Weightlifting Club will be around for years to come. 

“With funding, clubs can not only purchase the correct equipment, but they can buy equipment that will last until another round of funding comes in, allowing clubs to positively snowball in the right direction which leads to more members and more growth and most importantly more opportunities for athletes,” he said. 

It also gives the club and its members a clear sign that women’s weightlifting in Saskatchewan has broader support. 

“It can’t be emphasized enough how good it feels to be part of a [an amateur sport community] that cares about the growth and inclusivity of our sport.” 

Cheer on Sask for the Paris Olympic Summer Games

Following years of dedication to sport through the grassroots level to high performance, 23 individuals from Saskatchewan will represent the province at the Olympic Summer Games July 26 to August 11in Paris.

The contingent will feature three support and mission staff, five coaches and 15 athletes with ties to the province.

Humboldt’s Paige Crozon will not only be making her Olympic debut in women’s 3×3 basketball, but this will also mark the first time a Canadian team has qualified in the event on either the men’s or women’s side.

Joining her and making their second-straight appearances at the Games will be Pike Lake diver Rylan Wiens, who will take part in both the men’s 10-metre individual and synchronized events, and Regina artistic swimming co-captain Kenzie Priddell.

Other athletes include diver Margo Erlam, athletics athletes Michelle Harrison, Anicka Newell and Savannah Sutherland, water polo player Blaire McDowell, rugby 7s player Carissa Norsten, boxer Tammara Thibeault, basketball player Trey Lyles, swimmers Blake Tierney and Kelsey Wog, as well as artistic swimming alternate Sydney Carroll. Swimmer Ovesh Purahoo will also be at the Games, competing for Team Mauritius.

“Congratulations to the athletes, coaches, officials and support staff who will be representing Saskatchewan at the 2024 Olympics in Paris,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross said. “Thank you for your commitment to sport and for inspiring our province. You are role models and ambassadors for your communities, for Saskatchewan and for Canada. We will be cheering you on!”

Coaching for Team Canada, Lisa Borgerson (shooting) is attending her third Olympics, while Mary Carroll (diving) is attending her second and Chris Belof (athletics) will make his Olympic debut. Lisa Thomaidis and Connor Jay will be coaching Germany’s women’s basketball team.

Team Canada mission staff will include Chris Dornan and Lisa Hoffart, while Graham Olson will support the Canadian swimming team.

“Each of these individuals are terrific ambassadors for sport in Saskatchewan,” said Luke Flegel, Sask Sport Chair. “On behalf of the amateur sport system in our province, I would like to congratulate all the athletes, coaches, mission and support staff, as well as officials, on reaching sport’s grandest stage. Attending the Olympic Games is a tremendous accomplishment, and each member of the contingent should be commended for their achievement as should all those who assisted them along their journey. Please join in our celebration to show all of them that you are Sask Proud.”

Join Sask Sport, Sask Lotteries and the Canadian Sport Centre Saskatchewan on cheeronsask.ca for everything you need to know about the Olympics and Paralympics. The website documents the athletes, coaches, officials and staff from Saskatchewan on their journey to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, features a comprehensive schedule specific to the Saskatchewan athletes that includes date, times, viewing options and results and will house daily recaps with results and information specific to the Saskatchewan contingent. It will also feature an aggregate of news from the Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee and National Sport Organizations.  

Follow along on social media on @SaskSport, @SaskLotteries and @CSCSaskatchewan and use the hashtag #SaskProud for further updates and information from cheeronsask.ca.  

Olympic Notes: Janine Beckie, whose parents were involved in the Saskatchewan amateur sport system for a number of years, will compete on the Canadian women’s soccer team …

Paris Olympic Summer Games – Saskatchewan Contingent

ATHLETES

Sydney Carroll – Artistic Swimming (alternate), Saskatoon
Paige Crozon – 3×3 Basketball, Humboldt
Margo Erlam – Diving, Saskatoon
Michelle Harrison – Athletics, Saskatoon
Trey Lyles – Basketball, Saskatoon
Blaire McDowell – Water Polo, Regina
Anicka Newell – Athletics, Saskatoon
Carissa Norsten – Rugby 7s, Waldheim
Kenzie Priddell – Artistic Swimming, Regina
Ovesh Purahoo – Swimming, Regina, Team Mauritius
Savannah Sutherland – Athletics, Borden
Tammara Thibeault – Boxing, Regina
Blake Tierney – Swimming, Saskatoon
Rylan Wiens – Diving, Pike Lake
Kelsey Wog – Swimming, Saskatoon

COACHES

Chris Belof – Athletics, Regina
Lisa Borgerson – Shooting, Fort Qu’Appelle
Mary Carroll – Diving, Saskatoon
Connor Jay – Basketball, Saskatoon, Team Germany
Lisa Thomaidis – Basketball, Saskatoon, Team Germany

SUPPORT STAFF

Chris Dornan – Team Canada Media Attache, Saskatoon
Lisa Hoffart – Team Canada Mental Health Practitioner, Regina
Graham Olson – Swimming Performance Analyst, Saskatoon

The volunteers behind the North American Indigenous Games

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Among the 12,000 sport, culture and recreation programs funded by the Sask Lotteries Trust Fund, the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) captures a unique combination of sport and culture.

In 2023, Team Saskatchewan, compiled of more than 500 athletes and over 130 volunteers captured the championship title at the 10th edition of NAIG in various venues across Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Dartmouth, Millbrook First Nation and Sipeke’katik in Nova Scotia.

For NAIG to take place, it takes numerous individuals volunteering their time and energy in the different regions, to bring together an event that unites people, from across North America.

NAIG is held once every four years, but the work behind the scenes never fully comes to end for the host and provinces. Once the multi-sport event concludes, the preparation for the following one begins.

Team Saskatchewan’s Chef de Mission works alongside countless others to organize over 50 different teams. The volunteers set the scene for each NAIG and are the individuals who bring the event to life for Saskatchewan’s athletes.

“NAIG provides an incredible experience for anyone involved and brings together a lot of people from across Turtle Island.”

Team Saskatchewan Chef de Mission, Mike Tanton

Mike Tanton has volunteered as Chef de Mission for seven Games, prioritizing an atmosphere that combines the competition of sport with the celebration of Indigenous culture.

“The cultural portion of [NAIG] adds so much and makes it that much more meaningful,” shared Tanton.

“We see the kids when they come from their communities. We see them as they train leading up to the Games and at the Games – seeing their excitement – those are the things that keep me involved.”

Volunteers can take on various roles, anything from organizing travel to staying on location with athletes.

“We had volunteers that were up and at the airport at 4 a.m. to make sure the kids were able to get through security and to their flights. They stayed there all day to make sure every team was checked in correctly.

“[The volunteers]really worked on establishing a relationship with our partners that we were working with, like WestJet. We want them to look at our kids as theirs, because if they are doing that the kids will be in good hands.”

Tanton advocates the importance of establishing a family environment for the duration of NAIG. His dedication to creating a positive environment for the kids shines through each step of the preparation process.

“Volunteers are with the kids 24/7, for nine days straight. The family atmosphere lets people know that you care.”

Team Saskatchewan’s volunteers become family to each other and the athletes, prioritizing their well-being during training, up until they return home following the Games.

Tanton’s philosophy suggests that when things are done for family, it is being done in the best way possible.

NAIG is a unique event that gathers people from all areas. The volunteer team is a collection of individuals with various skills and prior experiences.

For 33 years, Team Saskatchewan has been built on a foundation of volunteers.

“Coaches, coordinators, chaperones, team managers, all of them are volunteers and are a part of the team right from the start,” explained Tanton.

Brenda Ahenakew and Eugene Arcand have volunteered their time since first founding the team in 1990. The two now share the guidance team role with Chief Larry Ahenakew and Lorna Arcand as overseers of the steering committee, coordinators, coaches and managers.

The guidance team is in place to bring forward generations of experience and knowledge regarding the Games, as well as guiding current volunteers through cultural protocol.

“NAIG provides an incredible experience for anyone involved and brings together a lot of people from across Turtle Island.”

Without the support of volunteers, NAIG would not be the event that it is today.

Charlie Biemans dedicates himself to his community

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This volunteer recognition story and photo is courtesy of the Prairie Central District for Sport, Culture and Recreation 

Volunteers have the ability to adapt to the particular needs of an organization and situation. Charlie Biemans stands as an example of the diverse skills exhibited by Saskatchewan volunteers. 

For 43 years, Biemans has dedicated himself Englefeld’s community through numerous roles at the local school.  

In his free time, he has followed his passion for sport and coached youth in baseball, softball, volleyball, track, badminton, soccer, hockey and curling.  

Biemans continues to take the lead role in making the curling and skating ice for winter activities in the local arena. He manages the rink schedules, ice rentals, opening and closing, cleaning and maintenance, and ensuring the kitchen is fully stocked with supplies. 

He has an ability to create community, as Biemans has planned evenings at the local rink that feature burgers and free skating. 

Over the years, Charlie has spent time on the Englefeld Rec Board, village council and has supported the installation of new playground equipment at the park as well as renovations to the arena. 

“Englefeld is a better place because of the countless hours of volunteer time Charlie dedicates to the community. He is the driving force behind the Rec Board,” said fellow community member, Deanna Miskolczi. “As soon as one community event is over, Charlie is already talking about the next one!” 

In December 2023, Charlie was recognized with a Volunteer Recognition Award from the Prairie Central District for Sport, Culture and Recreation. Congratulations, Charlie! 

National Volunteer Week April 14-20

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Saskatchewan’s 330,000 volunteers are a vital part of the foundation that makes up Saskatchewan’s sport, culture and recreation system. From April 14-20, celebrated under the theme of “Every Moment Matters,” volunteers will be recognized nationwide for their contributions. For 50 years, Sask Lotteries has funded volunteer led sport, culture and recreation programs in the province and it is through the contribution of volunteers that we can make a difference.

Sask Lotteries knows that every second a volunteer gives to the community, an innumerable number of individuals feel the impact. As part of the celebration, Sask Lotteries, along with Sask Sport is saying thank you to the volunteers in Saskatchewan, who help make the 12,000 lottery-funded sport, culture and recreation activities possible.

When thanking volunteers on social media, organizations are encouraged to use the hashtags: #NVW2024, #EveryMomentMatters.

For more information on the week and access to National Volunteer Week assets, check out SaskSport.ca

Q & A with Special Olympics Lloydminster 

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Special Olympics Lloydminster, a Sask Lotteries funded organization, prioritizes the accessibility of sport in their local community. They have subsidized fees and will cover costs for athletes and their families who otherwise could not participate. The organization offers diverse programs, which allows every individual the opportunity to enjoy sport at their desired level. 

Marianne Witzaney, Volunteer Coordinator with Special Olympics Lloydminster, spoke with Sask Lotteries to provide more insight about Special Olympics Lloydminster through a Q & A.  

What opportunities are offered by your organization?  

Our organization offers Bowling and a Fitness/Walking Track Program. We are the only sport and fitness organization for individuals with intellectual disabilities to participate in. We have 85 registered athletes.  Not all our athletes can bowl so we started a Fitness/Walking track program.  

We have 60 enrolled in our bowling program and 25 in the Fitness/Walking track program.  

Our bowlers are invited to join us on the track every Thursday evening, with an average of 35 athletes per week participating in the Fitness/Walking track program. Both programs provide physical and social opportunities that are essential for the well-being and mental health of our participants. 

How has Sask Lotteries funding impacted Special Olympics Lloydminster? 

All our participants live on a fixed income, and many do not have family to help them out. Funding from Sask Lotteries subsidizes over half of their bowling fees and fitness/walking track fees. As a result, Special Olympics Lloydminster has been able to be all inclusive and provide a strong program. 

How have you seen participants benefit from Sask Lotteries funding?  

Because of Sask Lotteries funding we have been able to provide a strong bowling and fitness/walking track program and have been able to make it all inclusive. We still do have some individuals that cannot afford to pay any fees and through our own fundraising we can help these individuals out.   

With Sask Lotteries funding we are able to make the programs more competitive by providing small prizes and incentives for the athletes. 

Can you share a memory from your time with Special Olympics Lloydminster? 

In our Fitness/Walking track program, we have participants that walk, run & others who participate in wheelchairs. Every week we track the number of laps the participants do and encourage them to do more. One of our athletes is 80 years old and had a serious injury a few years ago and now requires a walker for support.   

She says she needs to walk 10 laps every week so she can get a ribbon again this year.  She is an inspiration to all of us. 

Saskatoon’s Shirley, Clark don Canadian jersey for first time together

Written by Matt Johnson for Sask Lotteries

After last serving as teammates in 2019 when the Wisconsin Badgers hoisted the NCAA National Championship, Emily Clark and Sophie Shirley shared the ice together as teammates for the first time in more than four years on Wednesday in Saskatoon.

On a night where female minor hockey teams from across the province lined the rows of seats in the arena, all eyes were on Clark and Shirley. As the final seconds ticked down, Canada head coach Troy Ryan had both Clark and Shirley on the ice together for the first time in the game. The pair of local products soaked in a 4-2 victory over the United States in Game 5 of the Rivalry Series.  

“It was a really cool moment for us,” said Shirley, who followed in the footsteps to Madison, Wisconsin of the older Clark and was a freshman when her role model completed her senior season.

Growing up, it was Clark who provided the foundation to the National Team and showed her that a route like this is possible through Saskatchewan. Both played U18 AAA hockey with the Saskatoon Stars, before moving west to attend the Okanagan Hockey Academy, which led to opportunities with Team Canada’s U18 team at respective U18 Women’s World Championships.

Along the way, each have benefitted from funding through Sask Lotteries that helps athletes achieve their dreams while on track to a national team or while on a national team. Shirley is a five-time recipient of Future Best and three-time recipient of a Saskatchewan Program for Athletic Excellence (SPAE), while Clark has received SPAE funding for the last five years.

Now after each spending four years in Wisconsin with the Badgers, Wednesday provided a reunion in their hometown — a city neither Shirley or Clark had played a competitive game in since their time with the Stars.

“I’m really proud of her. It’s kind of like a proud big sister moment. I got to watch her grow up and be on this journey together, so it was a really special day for both of us,” Clark said following the game, when asked about her former Badgers teammate.

“Emily has been a huge role model for me,” said Shirley. “I think I’ve always kind of looked up to her and tried to emulate everything that she’s done and kind of followed in her footsteps. It was super cool to share that with her for the first time at this level.”

Clark, who admitted she found out Shirley would be joining her on Canada’s roster when scrolling through X last week, was thrilled to have a fellow Prairie product along for the homecoming.

“I’m thinking of [Kristin O’Neill, who was replaced in the lineup due to injury], but it’s great that another Saskatoon player got this chance. Sophie has been playing amazing in the PWHL this season and she just keeps getting better and better,” said Clark.

A two-time finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award, handed out to the top NCAA women’s hockey player, Shirley was selected by Boston 63rd overall by Boston in this fall’s PWHL Draft. She has three points in seven games this season for Boston, after scoring her first career PWHL goal this past week against Montreal.

“She’s such a special player with so much skill and speed. She’s still so young, so nothing but better things are coming for her,” said Clark.

The hope for Shirley is the call-up is a sign of what’s to come. She wrapped up her career at Wisconsin with a storybook ending, just like Clark did, by winning a National Championship in her senior season, before embarking on a pro career this fall.

All the time away from home made the night even more special, as with what she detailed as 15-20 family members in attendance, Shirley noted she was able to take it all in while taking laps in warmups.

“As soon as I got out there, I was super excited to be able to play with that atmosphere, especially when you’re home and having family here was amazing,” said Shirley. “I think for me, being a young girl and growing up in this area and being able to put myself in their shoes like I was at one point and now to be on the ice at this level is pretty cool.”

Clark reflected postgame on her own memories of attending Saskatoon Blades in the building and posted on Instagram earlier in the day with a nostalgic photo of her in a Saskatoon Flyers jersey — the team she noted she was last a part of when she last suited up at the SaskTel Centre.

The two-time Olympian and gold medallist in Beijing was slated to be a part of Canada’s roster when Saskatoon played host to the 4 Nations Cup but was forced to miss the tournament due to injury. She admitted following the game, that absence made Wednesday night all that sweeter.

“That [injury] probably was one of the hardest things I had to go through. I honestly didn’t think I’d get the chance [to play in Saskatoon again]. These series and different tournaments make their way across Canada, so I’m very lucky that I got the chance again and was healthy enough to play and be on the roster.”

The significance of the moment wasn’t lost on captain Marie Marie-Philip Poulin, who expressed her excitement to see both her longtime teammate in Clark and a fresh call-up in Shirley have a night like this in their hometown.

“It’s always special to travel across Canada, touching different communities and obviously, being here in Saskatoon in front of Clark and Shirley’s family — the whole crowd here was great,” said Poulin.