Ice-Dog President Mike Sveinson, along with Executive member Erik Lang, spoke to the Junior A Ice-Dogs forth-coming season and the roll of Dryden Rotary’s 50/50 Joint venture.
Begun in the shortened 2019-20 season as a fun raiser for the team and a youth program for the Dryden Rotary Club, but because the future of junior hockey in Dryden is unclear right as result of COVID-19, the future of the draw is unclear.
The Rotary Club of Dryden ran the 50/50 draw for the Ice Dogs. Rotary also provided all schools with passes to Ice Dog regular season games and schools presented these to interested and needy students.In essence, Rotary paid for these passes by donating all net proceeds from 50/50 to Ice Dogs. Sveinson said, “The passes were well received and increased the attendance at Ice Dogs games.”
The Ice Dogs netted about $11000 from the 50/50 which is almost 5% of operating budget, Sveinson reported but it could have netted $15,000 had the play-offs occurred.
Children were more involved in the games. They often dropped the opening puck and the team held autograph nights. One special night saw super-fan Rotarian Joanne Bunny drop the ceremonial puck.
“Obviously, there are some top down mandates coming from the Canadian government, Hockey Canada and from the Canadian Junior Hockey League that are going to tell us whether or not we have a season.” Mike said. So until those questions are answered, the whole hockey season and the fate of the 50/50 draw and schools program are still a question mark.
(with files from Rayson Martyn and CKDR)