ESTEVAN - Darren Rog has been a big part of the Eagle Sky Estevan Bruins organization for more than 15 years.
And for the second time, he has been recognized as the club's volunteer of the year.
In a news release, the Bruins said Rog has been a staple at games, working behind the scenes as a crucial piece to the gameday experience.
A long-time Bruins' fan from his early days going to games in the mid 1980s, Rog started out volunteering with the team, doing stats and subbing in on music when needed in the fall of 2009, and quickly became invaluable.
This past season was Rog’s seventh as the team’s dependable worker on the TriCaster, manning all in-game replays, Crunch of the Game highlights, tribute videos, birthday graphics and sponsored content, as well as being the in-house eyes and ears ensuring the FloHockey feed is working, or fixed quickly in the face of adversity.
"While the job can be stressful at times, Rog’s ability to problem-solve under pressure and remain ever-unflappable with an air of calmness makes him a natural fit to thrive in the often fast-paced environment," the club said in the news release.
“What truly sets Darren apart is his genuine care and consistent reliability,” fellow long-time volunteer Barrett Fleck said. “No matter the task, big or small, you can trust that he will put in the effort and do it with a positive attitude. […] I look forward to each Bruins game with him; his energy, competitiveness and good humour make him a true pleasure to be around and lift the spirits of any group.”
There’s perhaps no better example of Rog’s consistency than his track record having missed just 10-12 games in the last 16 years. As for what keeps bringing him back, Rog points to the relationships built, all working together towards a common goal.
“It’s fun to be part of the game,” Rog said with his shrug and a smile. “The group we have up in the press box wants to make production the best in the league for our in-game experience and for those watching on FloHockey.
“There are so many volunteers required for each hockey game, and it takes everyone working hand-in-hand to go as smoothly as it does. I would like to thank everyone who volunteers for all the hours they put in each game and throughout the season. For me to get recognized out of all of them is a great honour and I appreciate it.”
Rog also won the award in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Director of marketing Marty Martinson said it’s these qualities and so many more that make Rog a natural choice for Volunteer of the Year.
“It’s been just awesome having him here. Darren has been a huge help to me in my first year here in Estevan, just letting me know how things operate upstairs and keeping it all running smoothly,” Martinson said. “His passion for the team is evident and it’s always a joy to talk with Darren about the games, the players and the team’s history.
“When we had a few instances where we needed someone new to fill in on music, or on camera for the FloHockey, Darren was able to show them the ropes and assist however needed because he’s been there and done that for every aspect of the in-booth production. He’s a patient teacher and understands people. With Darren, he always puts the person first.”
Rog’s passion for the team is also reflected in his diligence in keeping stats. From the earliest days of Affinity Place in 2011, Darren has tracked each goal scored by the Bruins down to the number, with who scored it in which season. This has resulted in some remarkable milestones being recognized that would have otherwise gone unnoticed, such as when Kent Moors scored the 1,500th goal at Affinity Place against the Melville Millionaires back on Jan. 10.
"The Bruins organization would like to thank Darren for his dedication as the recipient of this year’s Volunteer of the Year Award."
