Instead, there will be a “hot stove” at the Souris Glenwood Memorial Complex, where people can come before, during and after the game for refreshments and a silent auction.
Pringle said they have their committee up and running but everything is so challenging due to the ongoing pandemic. How ever, he feels it is important to get something moving for an important person.
“We need to recognize Grant for his commitment to the Cougars and the whole program. His passion for hockey was great, but really it was his passion for the kids. He wanted the program to be top notch for the kids and that’s why I got involved.”
Moffatt was recognized as a key person with the Southwest Cougars U18 AAA program. When the squad moved to Souris, he served on the board, becoming president in 1996. Besides executive duties, he ran the clock for home games, moved the nets between periods and did many fundraising activities. For many, Moffatt was best known for his spirited write-ups on the team which they read in their weekly newspapers. As Pringle said, he was passionate about what went on on the ice, but more so with the young people themselves. He saw that up close with his two boys who spent time with the Cougars.
“Grant helped my kids become better players,” Pringle explained, “but more importantly, he made them better people.”
Moffatt also served as the president of the now-defunct Southwest Hockey League and was a director of Hockey Manitoba. He was involved with the Souris Elks and the Souris Minor Hockey program, as well as other community endeavours.
Pringle said what they are hoping to achieve is develop the Grant Moffatt Memorial Fund. He said they have worked with the family to develop what the fund will be, but the idea is for the money to go to further education for Cougar players. The hope at this point is that over time if money allows they will be able to have a grant for more than one player per year. One would go to a Cougar who is going to post-secondary education right away. Another would go to a player who goes on to play junior hockey and was moving on with their education afterward. He added they have not yet firmed up the criteria, but the awards would not necessarily go to the best players, but those who showed other qualities like character and leadership.
“Character was always high on Grant’s list.”
On December 18, the Cougars will be facing off against the AAA Wheat Kings. Having a Brandon team is important, as Moffatt spent so many years working in the city for Murray’s. Pringle added the home team would have new jerseys for the affair. The “Moff” memorial logo will be on the front, with their regular Cougar on the shoulder.
Pringle said they will be keeping that event fairly basic, but are hoping to do more in the spring. Plans are to hold the Grant Moffatt Memorial Golf Tournament in Souris, tentatively on June 11. This will be a larger event, if COVID allows, with NHL items and a silent auction.
They are also looking to connect with former Cougar players to create an alumni association, which would be another way to honour Moffatt, as Pringle said there were around 500 Cougars he had contact with.
He said the committee, which also includes Deanna Kowalchuk, Tammy Olson, Dale Lewis and Grant’s son Todd Moffatt, wants to get the ball rolling. If anyone wants to send a donation to the fund, they can send a cheque made out to the Grant Moffatt Memorial Fund, in care of Ken Pringle, Box 356, Boissevain, MB, R0K 0E0.
Although Pringle admits this type of credit and honour would not be something Moffatt would ever seek, it is what he deserves. He is simply one of the key people in keeping the Cougars program alive.
“With the world as busy as it is, it is hard to find guys who are staples of a program,” he stated. “I think for the kids and the parents, when you are in the middle of it, you appreciate it for what it is. When the kids graduate, then you really appreciate it.”
“We really want to recognize Grant and what he did.”

by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff