Family of the late Hugh Watt were presented with a large badge in honour of him. Players are wearing a smaller version on their jerseys. (Submitted photo/Megan Heyhurst Photography)

By Derek Cornet

remembering

‘It’s a big loss’: Ice Wolves honour the late Hugh Watt at recent game

Nov 15, 2021 | 2:27 PM

Hockey has always had a way of pulling Canadians together and that was certainly true Friday as the La Ronge Ice Wolves held a special tribute for the late Hugh Watt.

“Hugh was involved with the Ice Wolves right from day one,” board member Randy Johns said. “For us, it’s a way of coping with the loss. It’s a big loss for everybody, a big blow. We wanted to honour and respect Hugh and his contribution to the team and the community.”

Hugh Watt was a current Ice Wolves board member when he passed away in August 2021. (Facebook/La Ronge Ice Wolves Hockey Club)

The Ice Wolves hosted the Humboldt Broncos Nov. 12 at the Mel Hegland Uniplex in front of a crowd of 675 people. There was no charge for admission at the game courtesy of La Ronge Petroleum, which is owned by the Watt brothers. The company also sponsored a Gas Can Curl Off event where lucky spectators had a chance to win up to $500 by curling a gas can to a faceoff dot on the ice.

The 50/50 pot reached $6,200, but had a guarantee of $1,000 thanks to Mid City Electric. Johns mentioned the local winner decided to donate $1,000 back to the team to be used for another 50/50 later in the season.

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Throughout the evening, some of Watt’s favourite songs were also played and the Watt family, including Dorla and daughters Janelle and Lindsay, were also present for a ceremonial puck drop and were later gifted with a jumbo-sized badge in honour of Hugh.

“A lot of sports teams will have a commemorative logo or they will wear an arm band in memory of someone who has passed,” Johns said. “We wanted to do that for Hugh and the logo that the team is wearing is a tugboat. Hugh had a freighting service out on the lake. It has his initials. That’s in memory of Hugh and to commemorate him. The large version is for the family as memory and in recognition of his contribution to the Ice Wolves over the years.”

The evening began with a ceremonial puck drop before the game. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

The Ice Wolves scored two goals in the first period, but lost 10-2 against the Humboldt Broncos. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

The Ice Wolves will continue to wear the badge until the end of the 2021-2022 season and the jerseys will ultimately be auctioned with them. Johns noted the team is taking requests from the public who want to purchase a version of the badge.

Watt, 58, was a current Ice Wolves board member and town councillor when he suddenly passed away in August 2021. He moved to La Ronge in 1977 and is remembered as a committed husband, father and devoted community member.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno