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The Saskatoon Blades will be honouring one of their longest-serving employees at their game against the Spokane Chiefs tonight.
For the last 20 years, Steve Hiscock has been the man in charge of documenting Blades games through his camera. Tonight the team will be hosting its first-ever “Steve Night” to celebrate him.
This means anyone with the first name Steve will get into the game for free.
“A couple months ago it was still (Saskatoon) Berries season and I said, ‘This is going to be my 20th year shooting the Blades,’” Hiscock said. “I never thought much more of it, until a pre-season game with the Blades. I walked into the office to see what I needed to shoot and I see on the planning board the promo nights coming up and I see one (that) said ‘Steve Night.’”
Hiscock clued in and thought he might get to do a ceremonial puck drop or something. Since then, the marketing department has run with the idea and made it a night to celebrate everyone with the name Steve.
He might not be one for attention, but Hiscock was pumped to learn about the idea.
“I think it’s awesome,” he said. “It depends on your personality — if you like the attention or not. I don’t necessarily need the attention, but boy it sure is fun to run with this and the promo is a lot of fun.”
Throughout the night, Hiscock will be leading the charge on the scoreboard with different graphics — but he doesn’t know exactly what’s on the agenda.
Are we taking it too far? Maybe
Do we care? Not at all pic.twitter.com/k5EjgZOP3R
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) October 10, 2024
Hiscock said he’s most looking forward to dropping the puck for the ceremonial puck before the game.
“I’ve taken 20 years of pictures of people dropping the puck, so I think it will be kind of neat to switch that around a little bit,” he added.
The special night for Hiscock has him reflecting on how he got the job with the Blades.
He says it all started one night when he and his wife were watching a Blades game at what now is called SaskTel Centre.
“We’re up in Section H, and I see Greg Pender, (one of the Blades photographers).” Hiscock said. “I said, ‘Honey, I would love to do what he does.’ She says, ‘Well, go talk to him.’”
Hiscock ended up taking his wife’s advice and spoke with Pender, but never thought much more of it.
A couple weeks later at his day job, the business manager for the Blades, Mike Jenkins, came in and was looking for some office furniture. Hiscock then approached Jenkins asking him how he can get the opportunity to shoot the Blades.
“I just walked up to him and jokingly said, ‘How does Saskatoon’s best sports photographer get a chance to shoot a Blades game?’ Just joking around, of course,” he explained.
To his surprise, Jenkins ended up inviting Hiscock to come out and shoot the game that night as their regular photographer couldn’t make it. Hiscock accepted the role.
Hiscock admits he was nervous about shooting the puck drop, but then thought to himself that the moment was pretty cool.
Ever since then, Hiscock has been in charge of the lens for the Blades.
This season marks Steve Hiscock's 20th as our team photographer
For bringing our games to life through his lens for two decades, we're honouring the best photographer in the @TheWHL Friday during Steve Night! pic.twitter.com/3wqkdsJLPC
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) October 8, 2024
In the years that have past, Hiscock has since retired from his day job, but still continues to shoot the Blades in the evenings. He is also in charge of taking pictures for the Saskatoon Berries, the Saskatoon Blazers and a handful of other minor hockey teams.
He loves his job.
“I’m glad that I’ve got something to keep my interest and keep me going, something to look forward to every day in retirement,” he explained. “You know, I’m still young, but the traditional put your feet up and relax in retirement so far hasn’t happened.”
Over the years, Hiscock says he usually takes about 2,000 photos per game and throughout his time documenting the Blades, has taken over 1 million pictures.
When asked about what his favourite pictures are he’s taken, he says there are two recent ones which actually stand out.
“Last year’s playoffs, where we made that big, deep playoff run, the final series versus Moose Jaw. The overtime winning celebrations, the shots of the guys, when you get an overtime win, and everybody’s on the ice and just celebrating the joy,” he said.
Blades players celebrate after winning during the playoffs against Moose Jaw in overtime. (Steve Hiscock/submitted)
Hiscock said his worst moment as the photographer came in Game 7 last year against the Warriors when Moose Jaw won in overtime and advanced to the WHL Final.
“Another big moment was when Nolan Maier the goaltender set the record for most WHL wins,” Hiscock said. “Nolan headed over the bench, and I was following him and Colin Priestner gave a pair of scissors.”
Priestner told Maier to cut the net like they do in basketball so he could own a piece of history.
“Nolan’s cutting a piece of the net and I’m right there taking the picture, going, this is pretty cool,” he said. “This is history and I get to be right here part of it. That’s the standout memory. Seriously, in the 20 years, it just was a great moment.”
Blades goaltender Nolan Maier cuts the net after surpassing the all-time WHL wins total for a goalie. (Steve Hiscock/submitted)
Hiscock reiterated that he loves going to the rink everyday and is proud to be the person in charge of capturing moments for fans and players. He hopes the players will take his pictures with them when they look back on their careers.