Team gets inspiration from Don Cherry
Team to wear very speCial duds Saturday as fundraiser for the Kidney Foundation
It’s definitely a good cause ... It’s going to be a fun night and I’m definitely honoured wearing these jerseys.
The Saskatoon Blades are putting their best suit forward.
The Blades unveiled Don Cherry-inspired uniforms Monday as the team gets set for a crucial three-game home stretch which includes games today, Friday and Saturday night at SaskTel Centre.
The Blades will wear the Don Cherry suits on Saturday when they play the Brandon Wheat Kings in an all-important Western Hockey League Eastern Conference wild-card playoff race matchup.
“I’m liking it,” Blades captain Evan Fiala said of the uniform. “It looks sharp.”
While the Blades have worn all sorts of jerseys over the years, Fiala says this one’s a little special.
“It’s a good cause and it’s Don Cherry and it looks good,” adds Fiala. “It’s a good thing to support, for sure.
“My dad would have a different opinion — he wasn’t a huge fan of the Don Cherry suits — but I always got amusement out of them and it’s a pleasure to wear ‘em.”
A live silent auction for gameworn Don Cherry jerseys will take place Saturday evening; some jerseys will also be available through an online auction. Money raised will go toward the Kidney Foundation of Canada to promote organ donation. Of the more than 4,500 Canadians awaiting organ donation today, 76 per cent require a kidney.
“It’s definitely a good cause,” said Blades forward Braylon Shmyr. “I’m a big fan of Don Cherry. It’s going to be a fun night and I’m definitely honoured wearing these jerseys. I know people who are out there battling inside the bodies are going to root for us, for sure. We’ve worn a lot of jerseys honouring different occasions but this is one of the special ones.”
The specially themed jerseys are part of the WHL’s partnership with RE/MAX, the Cherry family and the Kidney Foundation of Canada. Don Cherry’s daughter, Cindy Cherry, will attend a ceremonial puck-drop before Saturday ’s game. The Kidney Foundation is a cause close to the Cherry family — Don’s son, Tim, received a kidney transplant from Cindy.
The Blades also have more than 1,500 Don Cherry bobbleheads to give away to fans in attendance.
Saskatoon (31-31-2-1, 65 points) currently sits four points back of the Prince Albert Raiders (29-259-2, 69 points) and the final wildcard playoff spot and seven points behind the Brandon Wheat Kings (34-26-3-2, 73 points), who hold down the other wild-card playoff berth.
“Every game is super-important and we know that,” said Fiala. “It’s playoffs start right now. It’s do-ordie. Honestly, I love it. It’s what you play for. It’s us versus P.A.; it’s who wants it more.
“This (past) weekend was tough. You never want to lose games like that but we know that we’re motivated. We’re not quitting, that’s for sure. We’re excited and ready to rock.”