Regina Pats

Honourable senators, the City of Regina has "Pats fever!" Our major junior hockey team, the Regina Pats, is battling it out in the Western Hockey League final for the first time since 1984.

The western final is tied at one game apiece. And, starting tonight, the Pats take on the Seattle Thunderbirds in Seattle, Washington, for a three-game stand. So, honourable senators, your loyalties don't have to be divided. It's Canada versus the U.S. — you can all cheer for the Pats!

Led by our steady head coach John Paddock, the Regina Pats were the number one Canadian Hockey League team for much of this season. We boast star players like Sam Steel, Adam Brooks and Austin Wagner.

It's already been quite a year. All of Regina was thrilled that we won the bid to host next year's Memorial Cup national championship, so it's really exciting to consider the prospect that the Regina Pats could enter that tournament next year as the defending Memorial Cup champions!

It's been said that the Memorial Cup is the toughest championship to win, so to even have a shot to win it twice in a row is a real rarity.

The last time the Regina Pats won the Memorial Cup was way back in 1974, when we had luminaries like Dennis Sobchuk, Clark Gillies and Ed Stanowski.

This year the Pats certainly haven't made it easy on our tickers this playoff run, needing a game seven to advance in round one, many overtime contests and heart-stopping, game-saving stops by our goalie, Tyler Brown.

Honourable senators, when I was in high school and university, I had the privilege of being the Regina Pats' organist for six years. The excitement of this year's playoff run has made me want to tickle the ivories once again to help cheer our team on to victory.

I want to thank the entire Regina Pats organization for an incredible season. This includes the Pats ownership team, who are always striving to be the best, on and off the ice.

I wish the Regina Pats the very best of luck in their Western Hockey League final series. Regina will be cheering them on all the way to the Memorial Cup — this year and next! Go Pats go!