The Prince Albert Raiders will induct former long-time Director of Marketing and Business Bruce Vance (pictured) into the Raiders’ Wall of Honour prior to P-A’s home game on October 20 against Regina.
Vance was nominated by the Raiders Alumni and management in recognition of his 14 years with the W-H-L team between 2001 and 2015. He and his staff were awarded the league’s marketing award in 2007. Following is the news release from the Raiders…..
Prince Albert SK- The Prince Albert Raiders are pleased to announce that former Director of Marketing and Business Manager Bruce Vance will be inducted into the Raiders Wall of Honour for the 2023-2024 season.
As nominated by the Raiders Alumni and management: Vance, the newest member of the Wall of Fame, will be officially inducted into the builder’s category prior to the Raiders’ home game on Friday, October 20th, versus the Regina Pats.
Bruce spent 14 years with the Raiders from 2001 to 2015. During his time with the Raiders, he was instrumental in bringing special events to our city. In 2011, bringing a World Junior pre-tournament game to Prince Albert in advance of the World Juniors in Saskatoon. He also helped bring the ADT Challenge Cup to Prince Albert in 2008, where Team WHL battled Russia.
“This is something very special for me and my family,” Vance said. “I loved working for the Raiders for over 14 years. I was blessed to work with some great people, staff, fans, and players over that time. To be on the Wall of Honour beside other esteemed builders like Donn Clark, Jim Bristowe, and the others is a great moment in my life.”
Bruce and his Raiders staff were awarded the Western Hockey League marketing award in 2007 for his fun and entertaining promotions and ticket sales initiatives at the Art Hauser Centre during Raiders home games.
Steve Young, former associate coach, assistant general manager, and head coach of the Raiders shared his thoughts on Bruce’s induction.
“Bruce is very well deserving of this honour. Working with him during my time with the Raiders was exceptional. Hockey is an industry where there are ups and downs, but Bruce always had a positive nature and a smile to keep things going. Bruce was very proud to serve the community and be a member of the Prince Albert Raiders.”
During his time in Prince Albert, Bruce also gave back to his community in many ways, coaching, managing, and volunteering. In addition to being a former President of the Crescent Heights Community Club, Bruce and his wife Liane held the position of co-managers for the A & W Bears Midget Girls AAA hockey team and Prince Albert minor softball, during which time he was recognized as the 2009 Volunteer of the Year by Softball Saskatchewan.
He also played a role in the renaming of the Communiplex to the Art Hauser Centre, as well as the “Bring Back The Magic” initiative that was integral to bringing the Art Hauser Centre up to a WHL level building.
“In the early days we worked hard to rebuild the franchise,” Vance added. “I was energized by the passion of Raider fans to make the team one of the best in the Western Hockey League.”
Bruce left the Raiders in 2015 to join the City of Prince Albert in a new role built for him as the Marketing & Sponsorship Coordinator. He still uses the knowledge and event planning skills learned during his time in the Western Hockey League to help Prince Albert host world-class events, and is still an active volunteer. He worked to bring the over 55 games to Prince Albert in 2022 and is working hard to assist the World Softball championship committee in putting on successful tournaments in 2024 and 2025. Bruce has been a member of the PA Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors since 2007, and was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame in 2016. He also co-founded and led the Special Olympics/Raider Education Fund Training for Life Power Breakfast from 2006 to 2016, helping raise over $100,000.
