Over 300 people joined the Virden Oil Capitals for their annual Year-End Awards Banquet on March 5, in Sunrise Credit Union banquet hall. The event was hosted by FoxTail Hauling.
The Oil Caps Governor, Bob Berry, as emcee for the night, invited team President, Dale Lewis, Head Coach and General Manager Troy Leslie, team Captain Ben Williams, and Marketing
Manager Lindsey Gullett to the podium to say a few words throughout the evening.
Lewis had words of encouragement for the team. “To the boys, it’s been a privilege to have you all here. The best is yet to come.” He finished by saying, “I hope you’ve enjoyed your experiences
here in Virden.”
Lewis said to the crowd, “We are here for the boys...this is something that they’ll be able to treasure for their whole life.”
Tribute was paid to a vast network of staff, volunteers, billet families and fans who support the MJHL team in Virden. As Lewis put it, “They come faithfully to every game to make sure we run a first class organization.”
Corporate partners were applauded. The president said, “We may be the smallest market in Canada probably, but I bet you we have the biggest commitment from corporate partners in Canada...”
Lewis introduced Head Coach and GM Troy Leslie as one who “puts his heart and soul” into the team. The head coach called this hockey year one of the most challenging years a hockey team
could ever go through. He noted the death of a former team mate, along with a lot of injuries as stressful for the team. He said,“It takes a very special group to work their way through that.... They’re not only good players, but they’re very good people,” which brought resounding applause.
The team bus driver, Larry Taylor, was commended for his interest in the players and the games.
Leslie noted the importance of Stephen Wady, Athletic Therapist’s care regarding concussion protocol, “to make sure these players can grow up and have a quality life afterward.”
Assistant coaches, Garth Mitchell and Devrin Stonehouse, both from Elkhorn, are Leslie’s support. “It’s tough for them, they both work full time,” he said. “They bring tons of experience
with them. They sure make my job a lot easier.”
The team has a spiritual guide. “One very important part of our team, and more so this year,” says the coach, alluding again to the loss of a former team mate, “is Wayne Unger, the team’s chaplain.
Lots of times we’re very focused on wins and losses...but Wayne makes sure that we’re aware of the important things in life.”
Coach Leslie’s respect for his players shone through his speech, with some emotional moments as he talked about them.
The team’s play-by-play announcer, Ray Walker has announced his retirement as team broadcaster. Walker conducted a mock interview with Coach Leslie, bringing levity to the occasion.
The team presented Walker with an Oil Caps jersey and an engraved glass plaque to show their appreciation for his services over the three seasons.
Captain for the team, Ben Williams spoke, noting the strong support in the community, the billet families, the coaches and his team mates who, he said, “made it fun to come to the rink, each and every night.”
Lindsey Gullett recounted highlights including Pink the Rink and jersey auction raising $10,575 for the Brandon Health Centre Foundation. Digger the mascot and the Castle Long Shot
T-Shirt cannon were some fun additions this year.
Awards
Twelve awards were handed out at this year’s banquet along with the introduction of a new award, the Cole Hamblin Memorial Award to be presented annually to the Oil Caps most
valuable player in the playoffs.
The 20-year-old lost a short, but courageous battle with cancer this past fall. Hamblin’s former billet sister, Paige Meikle, expressed appreciation for the impact the hockey player had made on their
family.
Jersey auction
Following the awards, the Virden Oil Capitals Foundation jersey auction took place. The funds from the auction go towards community initiatives and projects. In three seasons, the Oil Caps Foundation has given more than $150,000 back into the Westman area.
The first item up for auction was a framed inaugural season jersey that had been previously donated back to the team by Sunrise Credit Union to help raise funds for Cole Hamblin’s
family during his illness with cancer. Unfortunately his battle ended too soon and the team never had a chance to act on the offer.
The jersey was up for auction this evening, with the funds going towards the Cole Hamblin Memorial Scholarship. The deserving recipient will be a Fort La Bosse School Division
high school student-athlete showing good sportsmanship, leadership, a genuine care and respect for their teammates and coaches, as well as a strong dedication and passion for their sport - all qualities that Cole possessed.
The framed jersey brought in $4,500 thanks to a generous donation from Jim and Karen Moser and GCS Energy Services. In the team jersey auction, which followed, highlights included
the purchase of Zach Whitecloud’s jersey for $4,000 and Soren Frederiksen’s jersey for $3,000. In total, the jersey auction raised $27,150 in support of the Virden Oil Capitals
Foundation.
