Lynden Steeves is living out a life-long dream every time he sits at his organ in front of a sold-out crowd.
“Most of the time I’m kind of nervous, pumped, like my fingers get sweaty,” Steeves said. “I feel really good though because this is something I love to do and I love to make people happy who are coming to watch the games and it’s really quite an honour.”
It’s been three years since the Avenir Centre in Moncton, N.B., added an organ and the Moncton Wildcats added Steeves to their roster. It’s a position the musician trained his whole life to play.
“I was familiar with my organ at home, but when I got to this and I seen this I was like ‘what is that?’ But the more I play it the more familiar I get with it,” said Steeves.
Steeves said he combined his two favourite things – hockey and music – when he was a kid. He taught himself to play hockey jingles when he received his first organ.
When he heard the Wildcats added an organ for home-ice games, he emailed the team.
Jamie Comeau is the technical director at the Avenir Centre. He said they’ve been trying to add an organ since he took the position 17 years ago and the response has been bigger than expected.
“A lot of the older fan base appreciate it because it reminds them of old-time hockey,” Comeau said. “But the younger fanbase has found obviously a reason for social media bounce backs. So we see a lot of kids coming here and taking selfies with Lynden or just wanting to take pictures, videos and just be close to it just to see.”
Comeau said there were some hurdles incorporating the big instrument into the games, but the organ’s been a welcome addition since its first season in 2021. He said Steeves, who works with the Moncton Wildcats DJ to program a variety of music, was a big part of the positive reception.
“He blew everyone away. He showed that yes, he’s dedicated, he was going to learn and he was going to take this thing serious.”
Natasha Ostaff is the business operations general manager for the Moncton Wildcats. She said the organ gets the crowd involved in the game.
“I think some people come primarily to hear the organ and to see him play so I know it’s definitely been a draw for our fans,” said Ostaff.
Comeau said the Wildcats are the only CHL team to incorporate their style of organ, alongside a handful of NHL teams. Steeves said they took inspiration – and programming – from the Detroit Red Wings.
“Lantz Luce from the Detroit Red Wings put some pre-sets in there for me, so it made it a little bit easier to learn it and we communicate back and forth from time to time to make sure everything is okay,” Steeves said. He also borrowed his style from Luce. Steeves wears a sparkly red suit – like his mentor’s – as part of the celebratory energy he brings to every game.
“Just keep working at it and keep working hard, keep practicing you know, and then when the opportunities come just jump on it,” said Steeves. “Make sure you give everything 100 per cent and dreams come true, they do.”
