The Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame is introducing a new exhibit which ties in Canada’s history with sports and the military.

A national touring exhibit called Play Hard, Fight Hard: Sport and the Canadian Military has made its latest stop at the hall of fame located in downtown Regina.

The opportunity was made possible thanks to a collaborative effort between the Military Museums in Calgary and Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. The exhibit features more than 300 artifacts with some dating back to the 19th century.

Former Western Hockey League/National Hockey League goaltender and retired lieutenant-colonel Ed Staniowski was one of the first visitors to take a tour of the exhibit.

Staniowski played his junior career with the Regina Pats which included a Memorial Cup championship and a CHL Player of the Year Award. The Moose Jaw native went on to play 219 games in the NHL before spending 29 years with the Canadian Forces.

After getting a sneak peak of the exhibit on Friday afternoon, he said it truly captures the essence of what sports and the military have in common.

“You can go through it and enjoy the textures, the trophies, the equipment and the sweaters, everything that’s captured is so wonderful,” described Staniowski.

The Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame has 119 honoured members who have served in several branches of the military. (Photo: Moises Canales/620 CKRM)

Guests will surely be astonished by the vast history and connections sports and Canada’s military have shared for over a century while walking through and reading the displays. Some may even be surprised to see the variety of sports showcased throughout the hall including cricket and polo.

It was a touching moment for Staniowski when he viewed the hockey section. He seemed to take more time to observe the many names, photographs and jerseys that were arranged on tables and in cases.

After his tour of the exhibit, he admitted the hall of fame and its partners have done a great job at demonstrating the importance sports hold within Canada’s military history.

“It’s really worth coming down to spend some time and see the legacy, the history and that common requirement.”

This is the largest exhibit the Sask Sports Hall of Fame has ever hosted.

The public is able to view the exhibit during the hall of fame’s regular business hours starting Monday.