The Nipawin Hawks are extending a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make this past weekend’s fundraiser an incredible success, from fans and alumni to sponsors and volunteers who came together to celebrate Hawks history and community spirit.
The festivities began Friday night with a spirited warm-up game between the Hawks Alumni and the U18 Wolfpack. It was a night filled with nostalgia and smiles as longtime supporters watched some of their favourite former Hawks lace up once again, sharing the ice with the next generation of players.
Saturday brought the main event, the highly anticipated NHL Alumni vs. Hawks Alumni game kicked off with a ceremonial puck drop by Julie Kozun, Paralympic athlete from Melfort, SK. The matchup featured a star-studded lineup of Hawks greats including Tad Kozun, Bob Woods, Brad Woods, Kelly Low, Brett Cain, Declan Hobbs, Tyson Hobbins, Cris Classen, Bryce Classen, Greg Classen, Jared Spencer, Rylan Spencer, Darren Opp, Rejean Stringer, Jason Seery, Blaine Demmans, Brant Remenda, Cory Hodgins, and Scott Newberry, facing off against NHL Alumni Brian Skrudland, Jeff Odgers, Cory Cross, Bernie Nicholls, Chris Joseph, Steve MacIntyre, Dane Byers, Matthew Barnaby, and Duane Sutter, with Eric Gryba joining on the bench.
Two current Hawks, Raydr Wallington and Jack Drake, had the unforgettable experience of suiting up alongside the NHL Alumni, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that’s sure to inspire stories for years to come. Special thanks also go out to Jeff Nicholas, Jeff Hoiness, Tom Semenyck, Kurtis Peifer, Kelly Peifer, and Al Smith who joined as officials and coaches, and to Brian Munz, who returned as MC for the weekend after serving as the Hawks’ play-by-play announcer in the late 1990s.
The celebration continued Saturday evening with a sold-out supper at the Evergreen Centre, catered by Peppers Catering. Guests were treated to laughter, heartfelt memories, and behind-the-scenes stories from both NHL and Hawks alumni, a perfect capstone to a weekend full of community pride.
The Nipawin Hawks organization extends its deepest gratitude to everyone who helped make this event possible, our sponsors, volunteers, alumni, and the loyal Hawks fans who continue to make our programs thrive.
It was, without a doubt, a weekend for the books.
