2005 Stanley Cup visits Gray

​January 14-18 2005
A request to host the Stanley Cup for a day of activities turned into the unbelievable opportunity to escort the Cup for four days in January. The Cup was scheduled to be in Vancouver the next week, so Gray gained a few extra days.
The kick-off event was an official banquet held at Gray Memorial Hall for a capacity crowd of 125.  The Riceton Recreation Centre was contracted to cater the event and the guests dined on prime rib, baked potatoes, salads and dessert.  The guest speaker was Sam Richardson (of curling fame) who entertained everyone with his recollections - a lot were hockey related! The next morning we hosted a sponsor breakfast prior to the general public skate and opportunity to spend some time with the Stanley Cup.
We chose to ‘spread the wealth’ and were able to provide the Cup to Milestone, Rouleau and Wilcox for some fundraising activities.  The Cup visited a number of schools; Gray, Luther High School in Regina and a school selected by Conexus (one of our sponsors) Wilfred Walker Public in Regina.
We also took it upon ourselves to have it visit former Stanley Cup winners - those that played prior to the Cup being granted to each winning player for one day. The Stanley Cup champions in Regina were; Bill Hickie (passed away July 2005), Don Metz, and Bob Turner (passed away February 2005).  The Saskatchewan Sport Hall of Fame in Regina also hosted the Stanley Cup one afternoon.  This was the year of the NHL lockout so the Screaming O’s played Big Bob’s (one of their frequent opponents) for the Stanley Cup.  The Screaming O’s claimed victory, but only because they brought the trophy!
The schedule kept 'handler' Mike Bolt busy (the Hockey Hall of Fame now requires two escorts).
January 14 Friday arrival in Regina, Bill Hicke, Gray School, Greystone Managed Investments (sponsor), team picture at Gray Rink (local teams, volunteers), Gray Hall dinner (guest speakers; Mike Bolt - Hockey Hall of Fame and Sam Richardson - curling legend), and back to rink for a couple cocktails.
January 15 Saturday sponsor breakfast at Gray Rink, noon hour skate (neighbouring communities), 1:30-5:00pm Public Skate (we advertised in Regina), Rouleau dinner, back to Gray Rink for festivities for all volunteers.
January 16 Sunday Milestone Breakfast, 2-4pm Saskatchewan Sport Hall of Fame (in Regina), afternoon visits to Bob Turner and Don Metz, Screaming O's vs Big Bob's (for the Stanley Cup).
January 17 Monday Luther High School (Regina - sponsored by Conexus Credit Union), 3pm appearance at Notre Dame Wilcox. Back to Gray Rink. Departure the next morning.

​Sponsors were; Brandt Agricultural Products Ltd, Cleanfield Farm Service, Coca Cola Bottling, Con Agra, Corby Distillers Ltd, Cropmate, Dirt Doctor, Envision Group, Grainbelt Agencies, Greystone Managed Investments, Heartland Agro Services, ISI Agencies, Jet Ice Paints, Lendon Seeds Ltd, Markusson New Holland, Molson, Nelson Motors and Equipment, NHL, NHLPA, Novak Agrimotive, Partners In Motion, Pioneer Grain Co. Ltd, Regina Fasteners & Tools Ltd, Rengro Fertilizer Ltd, Sedley Seeds Ltd, 639 Motors, Taylor Motors, Watson Tractor and Equipment Ltd, Weyburn Inland Terminal/Vigro Seed, Westrum Lumber, Young's Equipment.