Innisfail is set to welcome Ron MacLean.
Mr. Hockey Night in Canada is headlining the annual Sportsmen's Dinner on July 14 and is expected to entertain Innisfail and area residents in a way that has endeared him to so many hockey fans across the country.
MacLean will be in Alberta in early July to attend the Calgary Stampede. He agreed to make the trip north to Innisfail and help out the Sportsmen's Dinner.
“He's getting ready for the Olympics right now, but he booked this special date (July 14) just for us so he could attend and be our guest speaker,” said Kyle Daines, organizer for the event. “It's huge having Ron MacLean here. He's going to be back on the air as ‘Mr. Hockey Night in Canada' again – that's huge for him and it's huge for hockey to have him back. As hockey fans we've been missing him.”
Helping Daines coordinate the evening fundraiser are his friend Jillian Shields, cousin Wyatt Daines and father Danny.
“It's a fundraiser for the pro-rodeo sports medicine team,” said Daines. “Dinner will be at 7 p.m. and the doors open at 5:30 p.m.”
In addition to seeing MacLean, the evening will include an Alberta steak dinner and a chance to see other guests expected to be in attendance. They include the 2016 Scotties Tournament of Hearts curling champion Jocelyn Peterman, NHL referee Kyle Rehman, Professional Bull Riding (PBR) bullfighter Jesse Byrne and a special portion of the night with NHL star Kris Russell.
“We have a special question-and-answer time with Kris and Ron,” said Daines, noting the possibility of a new team for Russell following his availability as a free agent on July 1. “We're not sure what team Kris is going to be playing for right now, but we'll find out July 1st.”
Most importantly, Daines emphasized the Sportsmen's Dinner is raising funds for a great cause, noting the important role the sports medicine team plays every year during rodeo season.
“They are the ones that hold cowboys together throughout the season,” said Daines. “They held me together for over a decade and now this is my chance to give back to them. They're the ones who look after us.”
Daines said he's looking forward to the entertaining and fun-filled events, pointing to the Sportsmen's Dinner and the second fundraiser, a Night At the Ranch PBR event and concert, on July 15 at the Daines Ranch.
“It's going to be a fun couple of nights,” said Daines. “We're just trying to give back to the community as much as we can.”
Tickets to the Sportsmen's Dinner on July 14 are available at the Innisfail Auction Market.
For more information call 403-598-0311.
Danny Daines
"It's huge having Ron MacLean here. He's going to be back on the air as 'Mr. Hockey Night in Canada' again – that's huge for him and it's huge for hockey to have him back."
