Distinguished Service Award

Before the draft started, the WHL honoured Graham Tuer of Regina, who now scouts for the Kelowna Rockets, by presenting him with its Distinguished Service Award. No one has given more of himself to hockey at all levels off minor and junior hockey in Saskatchewan than the man known as Mister Tuer. . . . Bruce Hamilton, the chairman of the board and the president and GM of the Rockets, and Saskatoon Blades president Jack Brodsky handled the presentation. . . . "I've never travelled with a guy who gets so many hugs," Hamilton said. "He's been a wonderful person for our league. I don't know if he ever has a bad day." . . . Brodsky added: "I don't know anyone who has more respect for the game and cares more for the people in the game than Graham." . . . Tuer received a well-deserved standing ovation. "As I look around the room, I've had a lot of good relationships with the people and organizations I've been fortunate enough to work with," an emotional Tuer said. . . . Having spent 17 years working in Regina, I can tell you that Tuer means a lot to hockey in Western Canada, but especially in Saskatchewan. He is a special, special man.