The Saskatoon Blades of the Western Junior Hockey League had something they called a Faith Night at their game on Wed. March 17, 2011. It's a night where religious groups are highlighted through various events and ticket discounts. The franchise began having a night promoting religion six years ago and they say fans have responded well.
There is not another major junior or pro hockey team Suite 101 was able to find who promoted a religious night. The Blades, who beat the Moose Jaw Warriors and improved their record to 54-13-1-2, are a powerful team but it's not know if any divine intervention has helped them along. But they were certainly good to religious folk at the game.
Faith Night for Hockey Fans Includes Ticket Discounts
There were ticket discounts for religious groups, church organizations were introduced to the crowd, announced at 8,630, and according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the different faiths who attended were permitted to spread the good word amongst the fans. The inspiration for creating faith nights comes from the Blades chaplain, Kevin Doell.
Doell is a member of a group called the Hockey Ministries International (HMI). The Saskatoon Star-Phoenix reported in 2009 that HMI "conducts a Christian ministry to the hockey world. Established in 1977, Hockey Ministries International does chaplaincy, hockey camps, all-star breakfasts, and pro conferences."
Faith Night Includes CFL Quarterback
There was a speaker session after the game and that featured speaker was the starting quarterback of the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the C.F.L., Darian Durant; Durant was to appear with this father, Israel Durant. The popular quarterback, who has a brother Justin who plays in the NFL, got his religion growing up in Florence, S.C.
While Saskatoon Blades management say the fans are cool with it, CBC reported that some were not aware of it and that not everyone thought it was such a good idea.
"I just think it's a personal choice. If you want to practice faith I have no problem with that," the CBC quoted fan Bernie Tetreault as saying at the game. "Just make your own decision, I don't think there has to be religious propaganda at a hockey game."
Religious Music on Faith Night - and Wins
A Saskatchewan religious rock band 'The Promise Keepers', played at the intermissions. The last time the Blades had a faith night on Feb. 26, 2010, there was music on that faith night as well, from a religious duo called 'G.R.I.T.S'. The Blades won then, too, 5-0 and they beat the Red Deer Rebels 8-1 on a Faith Night back on Feb. 6, 2009. So that's three wins in a row and a goal differential of 16-3.
Surely enough to keep the Blades faithful happy.
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