Photos from the action at last year's Ken Stewart Memorial Classic at YaraCentre. (submitted photos)

For the second straight year, the Moose Jaw Lacrosse Association will come together to honour a fallen member of their community.

The 2nd annual Kenny Stewart Memorial Lacrosse Classic will be happening at YaraCentre next Saturday with lacrosse players hitting the field for a full afternoon of games.

Ken Stewart, who died in a car crash last year, was an integral part of the lacrosse community in Moose Jaw, first as a player and then helping to build the sport.

His death hit everyone pretty hard, but Barry Stewart, Ken’s father, said last year’s event helped them in the grieving process.

“We can’t say enough about our entire community, we wouldn’t be where we are through our grief journey if it wasn’t for their support,” said Stewart.  “The money we raised last year went straight to Ken’s three children and that’s them continue on their sports and other areas of interest.”

The event was started as a way for fellow lacrosse players in Moose Jaw to honour Ken in a way that he would have wanted, by playing lacrosse.

“Lacrosse was home for Ken,” said Barry.  “If you didn’t find him at the rink, you would find him at a school throwing a ball or helping some other kids.  It was his life, the lacrosse community here was his family, which was replaced with his own family in time.  

“He had lots of hope to go on and coach his son, but that never happened.  He would have loved to been on the senior team as well, I know he’s probably looking down smiling right now.”

Last year, the focus was to raise funds to help out Stewart’s young family with continuing on with their lives after Ken’s death.

This year’s event will be raising funds for the Ken Stewart Memorial Scholarship, which is being set to be given annually to a lacrosse player in Moose Jaw looking to move on to post-secondary school.

The day will feature lacrosse players across all age groups hitting the turf for games.  Close to 60 players have signed up heading into this weekend and they’re hoping more can come out.

At the event last year, lots of memories were shared and helped everyone deal with the loss of Ken.

“Things were really fresh last year, so there was an awful lot of emotion for a lot of people,” said Barry.  “There will be this year, but we’ve moved forward in our grief journey and I think what we’ll be finding is a lot of the happier stories will come out.

“I think it will be a lot more up beat this year than it was last year.”

The games will be happening from 2-6pm next Saturday at YaraCentre with those looking to take part asked to contact Moose Jaw Lacrosse President Bobbi Ingalls at bkingalls@sasktel.net.  The cost is $20 per player.

The entire community is invited to come out and take part in the event as there will be raffles and much more happening throughout the day.