The Steinbach Pistons Fire & Ice Banquet-At Home Edition this past week featured a handful of Canadian icons.

Legendary sportscaster Ron MacLean was the special guest speaker and the night also featured performances by Juno nominated band, The Hunter Brothers. 

"It was amazing," says Jamie Roy, the Director of Sales and Marketing for the Pistons who helped organize the evening. Roy notes it was preexisting local connections that helped them land such big names for the annual event. After years in the Canadian hockey community, Pistons Head Coach Paul Dyck had enough ties to MacLean to bring him on board, meanwhile, Steinbach was already on The Hunter Brothers' radar as they are scheduled to headline at the upcoming Summer in the City festival.  

"We figured it'd be cool to give people a little preview of what's to come hopefully in June," comments Roy. "They're incredible to work with and we were honoured to have them at our event."

The Fire & Ice Banquet featured music from the Hunter Brothers

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has not been an abundance of Pistons content this season. With that in mind, Roy says he was glad to offer both fans and players the opportunity to celebrate the local hockey scene. "Our goal this year for the event was to give something," he remarks. "To give people an evening of entertainment, an evening they could enjoy, have fun and feel good at."

Head Coach Paul Dyck shows off Kyle Rous painting

Those attending the digital event were eligible to win a variety of items via silent auction; among them a painting of what is arguably the most historical moment in Pistons' history when they won their first-ever Turnbull Cup. The artwork, by Olivia Peters, features former captain Kyle Rous celebrating the accomplishment on the ice.

In a cameo appearance at the event, Rous himself admitted to being humbled and honoured by the painting. "To see it was incredible," he says, "it brought back an amazing memory for a lot of people, including myself and to see what that painting was able to raise was truly awesome. Olivia did such a wonderful job. She is extremely talented and I hope whoever won that painting appreciates the work she put in."

Other prizes included a signed Connor McDavid jersey and an autographed jersey from former Piston Cole Smith, who made his NHL debut this year with the Nashville Predators.

Roy adds that it took a lot of teamwork to make the virtual banquet as successful as it was and he commends the staff, board members, and volunteers, for making it possible. Meanwhile, he also thanks the community more generally, noting the Pistons could not do what they do without the ongoing support and enthusiasm from their friends and neighbours. 

Looking ahead, Roy says there are still a lot of uncertainties when it comes to playing organized hockey during a pandemic, but he hopes it will not be too long before players are lacing up their skates and preparing for the next big faceoff. 

"We'll see what happens here in the near future, but we're looking forward to getting back on the ice and bringing Pistons hockey back into Steinbach."