He shared memories, laughter and of course talked about hockey.
Canadian icon and host of Hockey Night in Canada, Ron MacLean, thrilled guests and attendees with his wit, charm and enthusiasm during the annual Sportsmen's Dinner July 14 at the Royal Canadian Legion in Innisfail. His visit was showcased three days later on national television during the Calgary Stampede's Championship Sunday coverage.
The Canadian sportscaster and much-loved public figure was the special guest of honour at the fundraising event for the Canadian pro rodeo sports medicine team.
MacLean spent much of his life growing up in Red Deer and his Central Alberta roots make him no stranger to the town.
“Driving up today I was thinking about the first MC job I ever did in my whole life -- it was at the Kinettes Dinner of Diamonds here in Innisfail,” said MacLean, whose broadcasting career began in Red Deer in 1978. “I remember driving in from Red Deer thinking, ‘Come on Ron, if you could just do a good job on this you're on your way.' It was a really big moment in my public speaking career.”
MacLean will return as host of Hockey Night in Canada this fall, after a two-season absence.
“It feels ‘old hat'. You're always humbled when you hear the nice things that were said about that happening,” said MacLean, adding it's not easy being a hero in your hometown. “Lots of people have been really supportive.
“When I come back to Red Deer or Innisfail and Central Alberta, everyone is really great. They keep you humbled but really, they boost you all the time and they always tell you you're doing a good job whether you are or you aren't,” he added with a chuckle.
Roy and Cordy Scarlett from Red Deer were two of hundreds of guests that packed the legion to see MacLean. Meeting him was a thrill of a lifetime for the couple.
“It's the first time we've ever met him and we love him,” said Cordy. “We talked about how much we love the Battle of the Blades.
Roy said he was happy to see MacLean back at the helm of Hockey Night in Canada. “He should never have been out of it. Ron and Don Cherry make a great team,” he said.
MacLean was more than happy to attend the annual Sportmen's dinner to repay the support he's received over the years and contribute to a great cause.
“That's what this area has done for me always. I'm so grateful to come back for Kyle, Danny and Jillian and to support tonight's fundraiser for sports medicine – they're the backbone of that rodeo,” said MacLean. “It's great to come back and get a little bit of rodeo 101 from the Daines.”
MacLean has many fond memories of Innisfail that include his schooling and budding career.
“I can remember refereering a huge game, an international (hockey) game between Holland and Innisfail back in the early '80s. I was a young referee at the time,” he said. “I used to play football here against the Ocelots in high school.
“I have a lot of formative memories (here).”
In addition to his schooling MacLean spoke about the important influences that helped him in both his younger days and throughout his career, as well as the important role the town and the people have played in his life and the hockey history that thrives in Innisfail today.
“There's lot of inspirations here,” said MacLean, noting the likes of the Daines family, Brian Sutter and the Eagles. “They've been just such supporters and mentors for me.”
Ron MacLean
"When I come back to Red Deer or Innisfail and Central Alberta, everyone is really great. They keep you humbled but really, they boost you all the time and they always tell you you're doing a good job whether you are or you aren't."
