Shilo Stag

The parents of Shilo bantam goaltender Zander Campbell visited Gunner Arena to see the unveiling of their son’s memorial, which includes his No. 1 CADPAT-designed hockey jersey.

Mom Leanne and dad Cody from Carberry were impressed with the work done by MFRC counsellor Carolyn Senchuk-Lavergne and RPOU-W Det Shilo GIS Rob Hutchings to showcase the hockey player, but also promote mental health, which took Zander’s life Jan. 8.

The board flush right of Zander’s memorial featuring his jersey first introduced during the 2012-13 season as well as his hockey portrait will provide arena goers with updated information and literature related to mental health information.

Hutchings, who had RPOU-W Det Shilo carpenters build the case holding the XXX-large jersey, coached Zander during the 2021-22 season when Shilo and Carberry combined players so the bantam-aged team had a place to play.

His son joined Zander in Carberry for the 2022-23 season when Shilo’s bantam team was forced to fold in the Southwest League, while Hutchings helped out on the bench.

Shedding a few tears as she viewed the memorial, Zander’s mom said her son chose to wear the Shilo Sentinels’ jersey for his bantam hockey portrait, telling her it was his favourite jersey that season, when the team would wear the Shilo or Carberry jerseys during the ’20-’21 season.

While the combined Shilo/Carberry team never won a game that winter, recorded a single tie, and won a shootout, the Campbells said their son enjoyed his season.

“It’s not always about winning games … it’s about having fun, too,” said coach Hutchings. 

Gunner Arena photos Jules Xavier/Shilo Stag