The Stonewall Jets will celebrate the season and raise funds for the organization during their upcoming Gala and Player Awards night on Saturday, March 7.
The event will be held at Quarry Park Heritage Arts Centre in Stonewall, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. An open bar is included with admission.
Jets treasurer Shaun Dalgliesh said the gala builds on tradition while introducing changes aimed at boosting community interest and attendance.
“We wanted to uphold the traditions, with some slight changes to aim to generate more interest,” Dalgliesh said. “This year we pushed the annual event to the day following our season schedule to ensure the roster was firm, as there were concerns from parents about supporting the team without knowing if their child would still be with the roster post-deadline.”
The Jets are also incorporating player awards directly into the evening, allowing community members to celebrate the athletes alongside the organization.
“These slight changes, we hope, will help the team get back to a sellout and increase community involvement, especially with a number of local kids again on the roster,” Dalgliesh said.
Funds raised through the gala help keep player costs low while enhancing the overall junior hockey experience. Dalgliesh said the organization is hopeful of unveiling a special 25th anniversary jersey during the event, which would be worn through the playoffs and into next season.
“Our aim is to keep costs low while giving players a heightened experience from what they may be accustomed to,” he said. “Should we have the success we expect in the playoffs and at the gala, we anticipate ordering new jerseys and continuing to update team amenities.”
Dalgliesh said events like the gala play a vital role in maintaining strong junior hockey in Stonewall.
“These events allow us to open up our platform to the community and celebrate with residents,” he said. “Many businesses and local residents attend even if they aren’t directly connected to the team, which gives us a strong sense of pride and appreciation.”
He added that the fundraiser is instrumental in keeping registration fees low while honouring the legacy built by generations of volunteers and players over the Jets’ 25 years in the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League.
Entertainment this year includes MC Phil Aubrey of 92 Citi FM, opening comedian Brady Holm and feature comedian Sunee Dhaliwal.
“Comedians bring a great atmosphere and give attendees something to laugh about,” Dalgliesh said. “We reached out to local comedian Brady Holm, who is participating in his first Winnipeg Comedy Festival, and wanted to recognize him for his work in the industry.”
Dhaliwal, he added, has performed internationally and alongside well-known comedians, while Aubrey’s experience helps keep the evening running smoothly.
“His attention to detail and ability to manage the flow of the event is unquestioned,” Dalgliesh said.
Recognizing players during the gala is also about building connections beyond the rink.
“By including awards, our goal is to create opportunities to incorporate potential scholarships and encourage businesses to support these young men going forward,” Dalgliesh said.
Tickets are $150 each, with tables of eight available for $1,200. Attendance is limited to approximately 160 people, and Dalgliesh said tickets are already close to half sold.
“It’s an event you won’t want to miss,” he said. “Our goal is to bring the community together in a different way, while supporting a program we can all be proud of and see continue for many years.”
For tickets or sponsorship information, contact Shaun Dalgliesh at 1-204-290-6064 or email jetstreasurer@stonewalljets.com.
