These Indigenous-designed jerseys raised nearly $15,000 at auction. (Rob Mahon/paNOW Staff)

By Rob Mahon

Orange Jersey Auction

Raiders raise nearly $15,000 for local Indigenous programs with orange jersey auction

Oct 5, 2022 | 12:00 PM

Oct. 1 was a winning night for the Prince Albert Raiders on and off the ice. Not only did they take a 5-1 win over the Edmonton Oil Kings for their first victory of the season, but they also held an auction of their orange jerseys for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The orange jerseys raised nearly $15,000 during an auction that began earlier on in the week and continued into Saturday afternoon. It was the cherry on top of a day in which the Raiders hosted numerous Indigenous leaders and dignitaries in a pregame ceremony.

“The whole purpose of the day was to get a little more recognition, a little bit of education, and just really formally recognize what was (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation),” said Raiders’ business manager Michael Scissons. “I’m very proud of our organization and the players who represented the organization incredibly well.”

Designed by a trio of Indigenous artists, the jersey drew immediate praise when it was unveiled on Sept. 15. Support for the jersey continued well into the jersey auction, and the money raised will go to supporting local Indigenous sporting and education programs.

“It’s staying local, and I think that’s the most important thing,” Scissons said. “Obviously, we have some tremendous programming here in and around Prince Albert for Indigenous youth to take part in. We’ll be thrilled to contribute to that.”

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At the last second, there was a slight twist thrown into the planning for the big night. Thanks to a trade with the Winnipeg ICE, the Raiders had added forward Alessandro Segafredo and defenseman Owen Boucher just two nights before the game against Edmonton, so they needed to get some new jerseys prepared.

“We had a little bit of sewing to do here and there but we made it work,” Scissons said with a chuckle.

Between the jersey auction itself and ticket sales that night of over 2,600, Scissons said he was blown away with how the fans reacted to the jersey auction. The atmosphere in the building was electric, raised by a rendition of O’ Canada in Cree and a drum circle right in front of the penalty box doors.

“It was incredible, it was emotional, it was everything that you hoped for,” Scissons said. “There were a lot of people who couldn’t take their eyes off of what was happening out there, punctuated by the fact that residential school survivor and grandmother of Dallyn Peekeekoot dropping the puck.”

Fittingly, it was Peekeekoot who assisted on the first goal of the game just 7:28 into the game.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP