Monday night marked the 49th annual Rady Jewish Community Centre Sports Dinner and Gala in Winnipeg.
Held every summer as a way of fundraising scholarships, camperships and community service programs for those in need throughout the community, the 2023 Rady Gala featured the likes of former NHL all-stars Jeremy Roenick, Chris Chelios and Ed Belfour as its keynote speakers for the evening.
The Sports Dinner past chair Blair Worb was also honoured during the evening for his decades-worth of continued commitment to the annual gala.
Held at the RBC Convention Centre, Monday's event was highlighted by VIP meet-and-greet opportunities, the multi-course gala-styled dinner, silent auction prizes, a rainbow auction and a live auction, as called ferociously by the well-versed Roenick.
Roenick, Chelios and Belfour (a Carman, Manitoba product) each had an opportunity to reflect back upon some memories of Winnipeg from their playing days.
Chelios, who spent nine seasons playing in 'The Windy City', made sure to reference Winnipeg's climate in his response.
"No question, it's every bit as cold, if not colder, and just as windy, so it's true to that fact," he said of the possibility of Winnipeg maybe taking over Chicago's namesake. "You guys had that run in 1994 in the playoffs. Many great competitive teams with Tkachuk and Domi and Kris King back in the day."
Roenick also chimed in on the wind, while referencing what was formerly the hotel of choice for visiting teams.
Originally known as The Westin, Winnipeg's Fairmont Hotel has recently been under fire by former NHL defenceman Marc Methot, took to Twitter to speak his mind against one of the city's largest downtown boarding houses.
“Worst hotel in the NHL. The Fairmont in Winnipeg,” Methot wrote “Paper thin walls, very loud doors, bedsheets that zap you upon entry, sh-t weather, almost no nearby restaurants, tough scene.”
So, on Monday, Roenick was asked about that hotel. As expected, his recollection was great and rather immediate, but his past experience was less than favourable.
"That walk from The Westin to the bus was the coldest I have ever experienced," Roenick laughed.
But he also did give his praises to the Jets and their passionate fans.
"I really enjoyed playing up here. I was actually really disappointed when the team left," Roenick reflected.
"Winnipeg has a lot of hockey history. I was really good friends with Dale Hawerchuk. I had the great pleasure of playing with Keith Tkachuk. Teemu Selanne is one of my favourite players who lit up this building here. It's a great hockey town here. I love the fact that you guys started the whiteout - one of the greatest, utmost awesome traditions, so kudos to you."
Silent auction prizes consisted of a number of autographed jerseys including that of Belfour, Roenick, Chelios, Teemu Selänne, Dan Marino, Bobby Hull, Magic Johnson, Jerry Rice and Maurice Richard.
Winners of the live auction were given more experiential prizes, including that of Winnipeg Jets press box tickets, various upcoming concert VIP passes, a trip for two to the NHL's upcoming Winter Classic, a group entrance to the 2023 Dale Hawerchuk Charity Golf Classic, a 1966 Autobianchi Bianchina hot rod and destination golfing trips with Roenick.
Yes, the prizes were sensational. But the funds raised were even better. The 2023 Rady Jewish Community Centre Sports Dinner was certainly a success.
Rainbow auction winners can be found below:
