DANKOCHIK’S DRAFTINGS: To the fans who aren’t around anymore

In the whirlwind that was the opening of the Southeast Event Centre last weekend in Steinbach, there was a moment that made me pause, that put me on the verge of tears, that shed new light on what arenas and sports can really mean.

Cliff Dueck was not only a massive local hockey fan, but also a mainstay as a Pistons volunteer. When not helping out the local junior A team, he was often on the road to senior and minor hockey games around the southeast, alongside his good friend Dale Plett.

He tragically passed away last October, with the Pistons holding a moment of silence before a game in his honour.

There was no doubt Plett would be at the first Pistons game, and he made sure to bring along Dueck’s Ste Anne Aces jersey, bringing a piece of his friend to the historic night.

Seeing the 45 “Chief” jersey hang overtop of the game action was a reminder of how powerful sports can be. It makes relationships and memories that can last a lifetime, and there is no doubt there are countless others like Dueck who were instrumental in making the Pistons the organization and Steinbach the city which could build such a beautiful new arena.

There are games to be played, new fans to be made, as shown by the first two fans who were scanned into the building a grandfather and his grandson taking in their first Pistons game together.

But it’s important to remember the people like Cliff, who help make local hockey special; through their volunteering, through their cheering and through their simple love of the game they shared with family and friends.

So many of those people didn’t get the chance to see the new building in person, but were crucial in making sure local sports can thrive.

We should all take a page out of Plett’s book. Remember those people, and share memories with the new places they helped create.