WHL mourns passing of Raiders builder Bruce Vance

The Western Hockey League is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Bruce Vance, longtime Prince Albert Raiders marketing director and business manager.

Vance, 63, passed away Thursday, October 18, following a courageous fight with cancer.

“The Prince Albert Raiders are devastated to learn about the passing of Bruce Vance after a tremendous fight against cancer,” read a statement issued by the Raiders.

“The Raiders join the entire community of Prince Albert, and every community Bruce impacted, in mourning his loss, and send sincere condolences to Liane and the Vance family. He will be missed.”

Hailing from Tillsonburg, Ont., Vance began his time in the WHL in 1984 as radio and TV sports announcer. He also spent time as the TV play-by-play voice of the Medicine Hat Tigers for CHAT. In 1988, he moved to Lethbridge, where he took on the role of Marketing Director for the Lethbridge Hurricanes, among other titles and responsibilities throughout the Lethbridge amateur sports community. Vance was part of the Hurricanes business team when the Club won the 1997 WHL Championship.

Vance moved to Prince Albert in 2001, where he spent 14 seasons driving the business operations for the Raiders.

During the 2006-07 season, Vance and the Raiders business staff were recognized with the WHL Business Award for their extraordinary efforts to deliver a fun and entertaining product to fans in Prince Albert.

“Bruce was integral to the success of the Prince Albert Raiders business operations for nearly 15 years and will be greatly missed,” said Yvonne Bergmann, WHL Vice President of Commercial Strategy and Brand. “From his time in Medicine Hat and Lethbridge, to his many years of building up the Prince Albert Raiders, Bruce was a tremendous contributor to the Western Hockey League. His dedication and passion shined bright.

“On behalf of all those in the WHL Office who worked with Bruce over the years, we send our condolences to his wife Liane, son Jonathon, daughters Briane and Jessica, and all Bruce’s family and friends.”

Vance took a role as Marketing and Sponsorship Coordinator with the City of Prince Albert in 2015.

On Friday, October 20, 2023, Vance was inducted to the Prince Albert Raiders Wall of Honour in the Builders Category. In 2016, he was inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame for his many contributions to amateur sports in the community.

The Raiders will pay tribute to Vance Friday, October 25 at 7 p.m. MT, when the Seattle Thunderbirds visit the Art Hauser Centre.