(Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Nolan Kowal

Bruce's Legacy

Year in Review: Bruce Vance leaves lasting legacy on P.A.

Dec 25, 2023 | 8:00 AM

As 2023 draws to a close, paNOW is taking a look back on the most important and impactful stories of the year, as selected by our reporters and editorial staff.

This past year was a special one for Prince Albert’s Bruce Vance.

The longtime community volunteer and Prince Albert advocate was honoured by a pair of local hockey teams. First, the Mann-Northway Northern Bears paid tribute to Vance by wearing special jerseys with ‘Team Bruce’ on them during a game at the Art Hauser Centre on Sept. 30.

The jerseys were auctioned off following the game with proceeds going to the Victoria Hospital Foundation and the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan.

Vance has been battling Stage 4 cancer since 2020.

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“It’s very heartwarming to see all the people that came out to the game on Saturday and bid online,” Vance said following the game. “It’s been a journey I’ve been on for sure and to have the support of all the people that support the initiative over the weekend is truly humbling and I’m grateful for all of it.”

Then on Oct. 20, the Prince Albert Raiders inducted Vance into their Wall of Honour. Vance previously worked for the team as their Director of Marketing and Business Manager. In total, he spent 14 seasons with the Raiders.

“I’m overwhelmed and the whole family is too. The out showing of support and passion from the people of Prince Albert and the hockey community is tremendous and it speaks volumes about this organization,” Vance said.

“Being a community-owned team is very special and very precious in the Western Hockey League – there’s only four of them and I think tonight you see the community responding to what was a very good run for us when we were involved with the hockey club. It’s a very proud moment.”

Vance is the 34th person to be inducted onto the Raiders Wall of Honour and the 16th person to be inducted into the builder category.

Vance has also been named the Sportsman of the Year and will be recognized at the Sportsman Dinner on Jan. 20.

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nolan.kowal@pattisonmedia.com