The inaugural Shaunavon Senior Badgers Sportsman Gala attracted over 200 people to the upper level of the Crescent Point Wickenheiser Centre on Saturday evening.

The headliner was Hockey Hall of Famer and Stanley Cup winner Lanny McDonald. The other guest speaker was Stanley Cup winner Colin Patterson, a  former teammate of McDonald’s during their time with the Calgary Flames.
The chairman of the Sportsman’s Gala Jay Meyer introduced the colourful emcee Bob Poley to kick off the evening program. Poley is a former CFL all-star and Grey Cup champion with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The agenda also included dinner service, guest speakers and a live auction with local auctioneer Ralph Oberle.
Lanny McDonald starred with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League in the early 1970s before embarking on a spectacular 16-year NHL career. Lanny was a well known star player for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Rockies and Calgary Flames.
McDonald said, “I dreamed of playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.” He joked, “No one grows up dreaming of playing for the Colorado Rockies especially when you are eliminated from the playoffs by the end of October.” He pointed out that playing for coach Don Cherry in Colorado was fun and Cherry only expected your best effort.
McDonald added, “In hockey and life if you give your best you can look in the mirror and like what you see.” Lanny commented, “It was a pleasure to hang out in Shaunavon and the community should be very proud of their accomplishments.”
Colin Patterson was a defensive specialist during his nine year career with the Calgary Flames. He completed his career by playing two seasons with the Buffalo Sabres. Patterson said, “It is the stories and the guys you played with that you remember from the game.”
Badger captain J.J. Hunter, who was joined onstage by teammate Conrad Pearce, extended the club’s appreciation for all the support received.
The live auction of NHL jerseys and memorabilia included a signed McDonald Calgary Flames jersey, signed Patterson Calgary Flames jersey and a signed Bobby Orr Team Canada jersey.
The auction drew bids that totalled $25,000. Among those items attracting the highest prices were a pair of Lanny McDonald jerseys that fetched $6,100 and $4,200 each. A Bobby Orr jersey, donated by Bob Poley, went for $5,500.