NHL legend Ray Bourque speaks at the 2022 Kinsmen/Raiders Sportsman Dinner. (Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Craddock

THE BEST IN SPORTS

P.A. Sportsman Dinner makes its long-awaited return

Oct 24, 2022 | 1:00 PM

The best of Prince Albert’s year in sports were recognized in person for the first time in three years this past weekend.

The 2022 Kinsmen/Raiders Sportsman Dinner was held at the Ches Leach Lounge on Saturday night. A packed house came to recognize this year’s honourees but also had a chance to meet NHL legend Ray Bourque up close. Bourque, who played over 20 seasons in the NHL, was the guest speaker for the event.

When all was said and done, the night was really about three people whose achievements over the past year were honoured.

First up, was the Female Athlete of the Year, Anne Charles, who in 2021, completed her first half Ironman at the Calgary half Ironman where she came third in the female 25-29 age group. Her ultimate long-distance triathlon goal was to complete an Ironman and this August she not only finished but got to step on the podium coming in third in the 25-29 age group.

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Female Athlete of the Year, Anne Charles. (Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

Next up was Prince Albert hockey player and current member of the Colorado Avalanche, Josh Manson. Manson was not only recognized for helping the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup this past July but for his journey from the ranks of the Mintos to College, the American Hockey League, the Anaheim Ducks and finally with Colorado.

Josh’s mother accepted the award on his behalf, but Manson did provide a video address to the crowd. In his speech, he said he was grateful to be honoured and thanked the community of Prince Albert for helping him on his hockey journey. He ended by giving the greatest of acknowledgements to his mother.

Josh Manson. (Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

Finally, the 2022 Sportsperson of the Year honour was given to Duane Krip, president of the Prince Albert Minor Baseball Association. Krip was recognized for the “Grand Slam” rebuild project which includes extending two existing baseball diamonds and building two new diamonds at the new Baseball Complex in Crescent Heights.

Duane Krip receiving Sportsperson of the Year. (Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

“It’s incredible to get an honour like this. I certainly didn’t see this coming,” he said after receiving the award. “You jump into a project like this not ever thinking or desiring to get any kind of recognition or acknowledgement. It’s nice when you do, [it] totally took me by surprise.”

Krip acknowledged though that this project was not just because of him.

“A project like this takes a lot of man hours and it’s nice to be recognized for that. I’m not the only one here. There’s a lot of other people that deserve acknowledgement as well,” he said.

Aside from the awards and the question-and-answer period with Ray Bourque, the event was a major fundraiser for the Kinsmen Club and the Prince Albert Raiders education program. Thousands of dollars were raised for these programs through silent and live auctions.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @PA_Craddock