CANORA - Who says hockey is the only sport that can be featured during Hockey Day in Saskatchewan?
On Jan. 19, the Battle of the Blades skating competition was held at the Canora Civic Centre, a first in the history of Hockey Day in Saskatchewan. It provided an opportunity for Canora Skating Club members to perform in front of an audience, and also feature four teams, two members each, skating a routine and competing for the Battle of the Blades 2025 Hockey Day in Saskatchewan championship.
The four duos were:
- Grayson Neufeld (Theodore Buffalos defenceman) and Rebecca Trost (Canora Skating Club head coach)
- Drew Martinook (former competitive figure skater) and Max Flaherty (forward with the Canora Cobras)
- Cole Denesowych (Canora Cobras goalie) and Danielle Burym (Canora Skating Club assistant coach)
- Vaughn Wilgosh (Canora Cobras defenceman) and Rebecca Trost (Wilgosh’s original partner was unable to compete).
“It feels absolutely incredible to raise over $15,000 for the community at Battle of the Blades,” said Trost after the competition.
Trost and Wilgosh were declared the winners, and also won the People’s Choice Award. Trost and Wilgosh were the only performers to receive perfect scores from the three judges: Leona Kitchen, teacher and former competitive skater, Canora Mayor Mike Kwas, and Canora-Pelly MLA Sean Wilson. All the skaters were strongly supported by a large and enthusiastic audience.
“It was so much fun to be a part of Battle of the Blades because of the opportunities it gave us to engage with the community and have so many good laughs,” said Trost, and gave credit to Vaughn Wilgosh for his role in their victory.
“I'm not sure if it was Vaughn's willingness to wear a full spandex leotard, or his showmanship, that led us to our first-place finish”.
While the fun and fundraising were a big part of the event, Trost said it also provide a valuable opportunity for Canora Skating Club members “to perform at this show to build their confidence, ignite their passion for performing, to experience what community support looks and feels like, and to create core memories with their fellow skaters and family members.”
Club members who performed were:
- (CanSkate 1) Westyn Parsons, Grace Giesbrecht, Natalie Sorestad, Piper Sleeva and Bennett Anderson.
- (CanSkate 2) Sullivan Stuart, Anderson Coleman, Emmett Bobyk, Riley Bobyk, Henry Tomcala, Zoey Dacu and Aria Jones.
- (CanSkate 3) Hailee Minky, Kylee Minky, Jessica Petrychyn, Emma Ostafie, Rayna Edison, Lena Schletgen, Antonia Gallego, Ava Stuart, Daiana Blauva, Elaine Sorestad, Olivia Sorestad and Scarlett Jones.
- (StarSkate) Mahra Collingridge, Rachel Mentanko, Emily Mentanko, Ashton Lamb, Chloee Abbott, Olivia Owchar and Keira Owchar.
“I love being the head coach of the Canora Skating Club,” said Trost, adding, “While I get to share my passion for the sport and witness skaters achieve their goals first hand, I get to be a member of an amazing community.”
Trost said there are many people who put in a lot of work behind the scenes to make Canora’s Battle of the Blades possible.
“I would like to send my sincerest gratitude out to everyone who attended, donated, to the skaters and skating parents, to the Hockey Day In Saskatchewan - Canora board for all of their support, and to Cecilia Keinick for her major role in executing the event.”
It won’t be long until local skating fans have another opportunity to see Canora Skating Club members in action. Their year-end ice show is scheduled for Sunday, March 16.
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