Drafting More Than a Player
- trevor3861
- Sep 22
- 5 min read
Written By Trevor Eliott (Mr Fancy Fez) - Al Shamal Shriners
The Night the Fez Stood Out
I’ll never forget that September evening at Rogers Place.
The crowd was buzzing with the kind of energy you only get at the start of a hockey season—anticipation, nerves, and the echo of cowbells bouncing off the rafters. The Edmonton Oil Kings were about to launch into their home opener, and the Shriners of Al Shamal had a stake in the game.
Not just as fans. Not just as ticket holders.
That night, we had drafted one of our own.
“With the 16th pick in the 2025 Draft-A-King,” the announcer’s voice boomed through the arena, “the Al Shamal Shriners are proud to select number 4, defenseman Rhys Pederson!”
At 6’5”, Rhys towers on the ice. He’s steady, skilled, and—just as importantly—a local kid from Stettler, Alberta. By the time we selected him, the high-scoring forwards were long gone. Many might have thought we were left with leftovers. But here’s the thing: sometimes the best choice isn’t the flashiest. Sometimes the right pick is the steady hand, the quiet leader, the one who shows up and does the hard work game after game.
That’s exactly what we found in Rhys. And in that moment, as I stood near center ice wearing my fez, I realized something powerful: we hadn’t just drafted a player. We had drafted a symbol of what visibility, energy, and purpose can do for the Shrine.
Because for the rest of the night, Nobles, Masons, and even a young member of DeMolay came up to me. They had spotted the fez in the sea of jerseys and asked about our presence. That fez—a simple red cap—stood out more than a neon sign. And it opened the door to conversations we never could have had otherwise.
That, my friends, is the heartbeat we’re trying to revive.
Core Principle (EMVP)
This story lives at the intersection of Visibility and Energy.
Visibility, because every time a Shriner shows up in public with pride—whether it’s in a parade, at a hockey game, or volunteering in the community—we remind the world that we’re here and that our work matters.
Energy, because momentum builds when we try something new, lean in with enthusiasm, and invite others along for the ride.
The Draft-A-King partnership is more than a sports promotion. It’s a blueprint for how Shriners can connect with their communities in ways that spark curiosity and conversations.
Exploration & Why It Matters
Think about the state of fraternal life today.
Many organizations are shrinking. Too often, we gather behind closed doors, quietly doing good work, but invisible to the very people who might join us. The world outside keeps turning, but unless we step into the spotlight, few notice the impact we’re making.
That’s why visibility matters so deeply. It’s not about bragging. It’s about being seen so that others can find their way to us.
When people ask, “Who are the Shriners?” we should never respond with a brochure or a technical definition. We should respond with a story. A face. An invitation.
And the fez—oh, that fez—is our greatest conversation starter. You’d be amazed how quickly people walk across a crowded arena just to say, “Hey, my uncle was a Shriner,” or, “I’ve always wondered what that hat meant.”
But visibility without energy falls flat. That’s where excitement comes in. The Draft-A-King program didn’t just place our name on a banner. It created an event people could rally around. It gave us a player to cheer for, a story to follow, and a reason to gather together at games. Energy draws people in—and when it’s shared, it multiplies.
Application in Shrine Life
So, what can Nobles and units take away from this? Here are a few practical lessons:
Show Up Where People Already Are. Hockey games, county fairs, school parades, cultural festivals—these aren’t distractions from Shrine life, they’re opportunities. The Oil Kings already have a fan base. By stepping into their world, we connected with thousands of people who might never set foot in our temple.
Wear the Fez Proudly. Never underestimate the power of that red hat. It’s visible, it’s historic, and it’s a magnet for questions. If you’re at a Shrine-sponsored event, don’t tuck your fez away. Wear it with pride.
Link Visibility to Conversation. When someone asks, “What’s the Shrine?” be ready with a short, heartfelt answer. Something like:
“We’re a fraternity of men who believe in fun, fellowship, and family—supporting Shriners Hospitals for Children and our local communities.”That’s enough to spark curiosity without overwhelming.
Give Every Unit a Stake. The Draft-A-King wasn’t just a temple-level initiative. Units contributed financially and received tickets to games. That ownership creates buy-in. When your unit invests, you don’t just watch—you participate.
Celebrate Wins Publicly. When Rhys notched two assists in the home opener and was named Third Star of the Game, we didn’t keep it quiet. We shared it on social media, in emails, and in conversations. Sharing those wins keeps energy alive and reminds Nobles that our efforts are bearing fruit.
Mentorship & Legacy Angle
Here’s the part that excites me most: visibility doesn’t just connect us to the public. It connects us to the next generation of Masons and Shriners.
That night, a young member of DeMolay stopped me to say hello. Think about that for a moment. He saw the fez, knew what it represented, and wanted to connect. That’s mentorship at its simplest—not a lecture, not a formal program, but a moment of recognition and conversation.
Every time we’re visible, we’re also mentoring. We’re showing young men what it looks like to belong to something bigger than yourself. We’re modeling pride, service, and joy. And years from now, when that DeMolay is ready to join the Shrine, he’ll remember that night in Rogers Place.
Legacy isn’t built in one grand gesture. It’s built in dozens of small moments when Nobles take the time to be present, to be visible, and to share their story.
Reflection Questions
When was the last time you wore your fez in public outside of a Shrine-only event? What conversations did it spark—or could it have sparked?
How can your unit create an initiative, like Draft-A-King, that both excites members and connects visibly with your community?
What story do you tell when someone asks, “What’s the Shrine?” How can you make that story more personal, memorable, and inviting?
Closing Takeaway / Call to Action
At the end of the day, the Draft-A-King program wasn’t about statistics, ticket sales, or even hockey. It was about reclaiming visibility and energy.
We may have drawn the 16th pick out of 17, but we walked away with more than a player. We walked away with proof that when Shriners show up—together, proudly, and visibly—the world notices.
So here’s my challenge to you:
Pick a game.
Claim your unit’s tickets.
Put on your fez.
And when someone taps you on the shoulder and asks, “Hey, what’s that hat about?”—smile, share your story, and know that you’re carrying the heartbeat of the Shrine into the future.
Because revival doesn’t start in a boardroom or on a spreadsheet. It starts in moments like these—one Noble, one fez, one conversation at a time.
Fraternally,
A Brother on the Journey
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