A banner year for the Weyburn Red Wings came to a close on Thursday night with their year-end banquet and awards night at McKenna Hall.

First to address the crowd was Red Wings president Ken Ferguson. He said it was amazing to see the hockey team go from sitting in fourth place in the Sherwood Conference in October to first place in February.

"We had a relatively young team that gained a lot of experience in a short amount of time," said Ferguson.

He added that the Wings will have 12 players who are eligible to return as 20-year-old players and seven players who can return as 19-year-old players.

Ferguson ended by acknowledging those involved in the hockey operations, the executive, the billets and the fans.

Head coach Dwight McMillan was next to take the microphone. It was a milestone year for McMillan as he picked up career win 1,000 behind the bench. However, he kept his speech relatively short.

"It is an excellent achievement winning the division and second in the league. It came to a quick end which I will take responsibility for," McMillan said.

Manager Ron Rumball addressed the audience and he had one important message that he wanted to convey to the players before they left for the season.

"I want these young fellows to have trust in the Weyburn Red Wings organization," Rumball said. "If you need anything, never hesitate to use your e-mail or use your cell to call the Red Wings office."

Rumball added that this Red Wing team has achieved a lot. They took a team that barely finished in fifth place in the conference last year and took the first place pennant this year.

Rumball left with a quote given by McMillan's son, Wade, following a reception for McMillan's 1,000th win.

"In January, Wade McMillan stood here and said 'show a lot of passion, show a lot of pride and do it in style'," said Rumball.

Assistant coach Darcy Pindus then introduced the graduating players. Graduating from this year's team are 20-year-olds Kyle Haines, Josh Bray, Erick Ruud, Adam Feniak and Justin Crockatt. Stephen Simms will also be graduating as he has accepted a scholarship to Lake Superior State University.

Captain Kyle Haines then took the stage and spoke about how he has grown as a person since playing for the Red Wings. Haines is a local product who has spent three years with the Red Wings organization.

"It seems like almost yesterday that I first came to this team and 150 games later I have to say a speech," Haines said.

Haines acknowledged his head coach, who is known for helping players grow as people during their stay with the Red Wings.

"I don't believe many hockey players get the chance to play for Dwight on a regular basis, but I can say that I did," Haines said.

He wrapped up his speech by saying, "I may not be a Red Wing anymore, but deep down I know I always will be."

The Weyburn Red Wings ended the season in first place in the Sherwood Conference with 36 wins, 14 losses, two overtime losses and six shootout losses for 80 points. After losing two straight games in the playoff Selection Series, the Red Wings lost out to Kindersley in five games in the second round of the playoffs.