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Stampeders’ fundraiser meets expectations

A successful season so far for the Ponoka Stampeders Junior B hockey club can now also include success off the ice.
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(L-R) Stampeders players Justin McKenzie

A successful season so far for the Ponoka Stampeders Junior B hockey club can now also include success off the ice.

The hockey club hosted its second annual fundraising event on Saturday night (Nov. 7) at the Stagecoach Saloon on the Ponoka Stampede grounds and believe they have come close or may exceed the $22,000 they raised last year.

The sold-out event included a catered dinner and entertainment by comedian Tim Nutt, who had the crowd in stitches. There was also a silent auction filled with an array of items, a live auction that included four Edmonton Oilers tickets and a parking pass as well as a framed autographed Connor McDavid Oilers jersey and a framed photo of the 2014 Canadian Men’s Hockey Olympic gold medal winning team.

Event organizer Debbie Lamey didn’t have an estimate of how much was raised, but anticipated the figure will likely be close or above the number for their first-ever fundraiser last year.

“Everything thing went really well,” she said, “The people support our team so well.”

She was also pleased with all of the auction items that were donated.

As for the players, Stampeders captain Cody Lemon - playing his final season with the club - said the team had lots of fun and its a great way for them to connect face to face with the community.

“Everyone sees us play the games and this is an opportunity for us to meet our fans and put a face to who the sponsors are on our jerseys,” he said.

“All of the guys had lots of fun and its simply good for us to do something else as a team.”

The Stampeders, who have four wins this season - something they barely managed to do over the last three years combined - are next on the ice this Saturday, Nov. 14 when they host the High River Flyers at 8 p.m.