Medicine Hat Cubs honour three former players at memorial game

“I have a hard time not crying, it was very special,” she said.

Treiber along with the families of Brandon Niwa and Ryan Pancoast were honoured at centre ice in the same spot where their loved ones used to play.

Serr, Niwa and Pancoast were on the same Cubs team in 2003-2004.

Tragically, all three died by suicide last summer.

“It made me feel a little closer to when he was on the ice with all the hockey players,” said Brandon’s mom Janice. “And seeing all the old hockey players that played with him and before him, it was wonderful.”

The families were welcomed to centre ice and each was presented a jersey with their loved ones’ names on it.

The jerseys were the ones the men wore almost 20 years ago.

Jordan Pancoast, Ryan’s wife, thought it was a beautiful night.

“A little overwhelming but just felt a lot of love and support even all the young and current players showing their support,” she said.

The loss of three men has led to more conversations around mental health and is helping others speak out if they are struggling.

“We all know mental health is a huge issue and I think this brought some things to light that men have to talk more and communicate more when it comes to mental health issues,” said Janice Niwa. “I do believe it’s already starting to make a difference.”

Sunday’s was the Cubs first memorial game.

Cubs head coach and general manager Randy Wong is happy with how the night went.

“When I reflect back, the game was really secondary,” he said. “The ceremony that we had made for the families, I think just how it all played out, I think that was really the key and the message we were trying to get out.”

This year, the club’s fundraising dollars are doing towards the Canadian Mental Health Association, and Wong can see this becoming an annual event.

In the game, the Cubs defeated the Red Deer Vipers 4-3.

by Teagan Rasche

Medicine Hat Cubs honour three former players at memorial game

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