This year's special guest is NHL Hall of Famer Dale Hawerchuk.

Hawerchuk came into professional hockey with a bang earning the NHL's Calder Trophy in 1981, awarded to the season's top rookie for his 103 point opening season. Dale was also the youngest player ever to reach the century mark for points in a season that year (a record that stood until Sidney Crosby reached the mark in 2006). He also set a total of 17 Winnipeg Jets records that season, leading them to the largest single-season turnaround in the history of the league. All impressive, but not entirely surprising, since Dale was the first overall selection in the draft that year.

He would go on to reach the 100 point mark five more times consecutively between 1983 and 1988, all with the Winnipeg Jets. Dale, or "Ducky" as he was affectionately known, was well respected by his teammates, captaining the Jets from 1984 until leaving the team via trade in 1990 as the longest serving captain in team history.

Dale was moved to the Buffalo Sabres in a draft day trade in 1990. He immediately became an impact player in Buffalo. During the next five years, he would record no less than 86 points in any single season. His career lead him to St. Louis and Philadelphia for stints with the Blues and Flyers respectively.

Also a successful international competitor, Dale suited up for Canada on a number of occasions. He represented Canada in the World Championships and Canada Cup in 1982, 1986, 1987, 1989, and 1991. Every one of his World Championship teams won medals in competition. Dale was instrumental to Canada's success during those championships, standing out on teams that included the likes of Gretzky, Lemieux, and Messier.

Dale played 16 seasons in the NHL before retiring in 1997. His 518 goals, 891 assists and 1409 points ended as the 10th highest total recorded to that point. It didn't take long before he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, Dale Hawerchuk entered the hall in 2001.

Dale is speaking at the banquet on Saturday night, and participating in the B final hockey game at the Red Deer Medical Sports Conference.