Bruce Vance (centre) drops the ceremonial opening faceoff at the Mann-Northway Northern Bears gam on Sept. 30. (Submitted Photo/Denise Purcell)

By paNOW Staff

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This past weekend, residents of Prince Albert gave back to a man who has given so much to the community, especially in the world of hockey.

On Saturday, the Mann-Northway Northern Bears paid tribute to former manager Bruce Vance, who has been battling colon cancer since 2020.

During the game against Weyburn, the team wore special jerseys with “Team Bruce” on the front and back. The jerseys were auctioned off following the game with proceeds going to the Victoria Hospital Foundation and Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan.

The total raised from that auction was $23,297.38 with The Broda Group and Signature Developments matching the funds raised up to $10,000.

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Looking back on the game and the initiative, Vance said he was humbled by the show of support.

“It’s very heartwarming to see all the people that came out to the game on Saturday and bid online,” he said. “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.”

Vance and his wife Liane managed the Bears from 2011-2015. He was originally diagnosed with colon cancer in November 2013. After treatments, Vance was declared NED (no evidence of disease) in July 2014. However, the cancer came back in 2020 and progressed to Stage 4 and a terminal diagnosis.

He told paNOW that he and his family made the decision to stop chemotherapy in June of this year.

Despite the diagnosis and the rough journey he has been on, Vance said his spirits are still very high.

“We’re battling it day to day and there’s a lot of support from my family that keeps me going and we just take every day as a bonus day as it comes.”

Aside from the support from those who attended the hockey game, Vance also recognized the people from the community who have supported them all these years.

“Mann-Northway stepped up and really spearheaded the initiative over the weekend,” he said. “It just shows the great community spirit and support that we have here in Prince Albert. It’s a very special community and (it’s) very close to my heart.”

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panews@pattisonmedia.com