AlphaDog
07-12-2007, 06:31 PM
(From St. Catharines Standard)
ALISON ROGERS
Sports - Monday, July 09, 2007 @ 01:00
The Niagara IceDogs announced their presence in St. Catharines with a weekend prospects camp.
"We arrived this weekend," said owner Bill Burke as he took in Sunday's Teepees vs. Blackhawks game at the Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre.
Surveying the 200 people in attendance, Burke said he was impressed with the turnout to see players who likely won't skate with the IceDogs for another year.
"Wait until camp opens Aug. 28," he said. "Then you'll see our six NHL prospects."
The IceDogs' souvenir booth did steady business over the two days the prospects underwent fitness testing, group meetings and on-ice scrimmages.
Sales topped $1,300 in shirt and hat sales, with several items selling out.
Burke said the club did its best to impress its propects and their parents.
"These kids have already impressed us - we drafted them," he explained. "We want to be different. On draft day, we want to be the team everyone wants to play for.
"
The pitch rang true with 17-year-old forward Cohen Adair and his family. They made the trek from Stratford to learn more about the club that made Adair its 12th pick in the draft.
"He had a good day," said Adair's father, Tim. "He's coming off a knee injury from two weeks ago.
"He won't make it this year, but maybe next year," Tim Adair added. Adair's red squad defeated the white team 5-1 in Sunday's skirmish. He'll look to hook on with a AAA team near home after playing AA last year with the Stratford Midget Cullitons.
Tim and Sue Adair hope their son will land with the IceDogs down the road, meaning he'll be within a two-hour drive of home. Cohen is the oldest of three boys at home, with Eli, 14 and Ethan, 11.
"The parent talk was great," said Cohen's father. "They're saying all the right things."
Burke said the IceDogs' best players will be in camp in August, having gone through the the prospects camp once or twice already.
"This is an experience for them," he said, nodding to the younger players on the ice. "Next year it'll be their turn to step up and make the team."
While the IceDogs have arrived, the club makes its official launch to the business community at a brunch reception Tuesday.
Burke said there are still a couple of issues to be worked out with council over advertising on the boards at Jack Gatecliff Arena, the team's home rink.
Mayor Bryan McMullan is co-host of the Tuesday morning session and Burke doesn't foresee any problems when council considers the modifications tonight.
The IceDogs have sold more than 800 season tickets on their way to the goal of 2,000. Burke said the club is also hoping to sign up 50 Founder's Club members to secure the team's finances for a few years down the road. The $15,000 investment provides companies with a rink board, advertising banner, full-page program ad and an exclusive leather jacket.
Burke said one woman purchasing an IceDog shirt on Saturday said she wished the team luck, but is pretty sure it won't succeed.
Burke said the IceDogs have already won over many folks, but knows there's more work ahead.
Roy Cummings and his wife, Jackie, won't need any convincing. The pair travelled to Brampton and Toronto to take in OHL hockey games last year.
"From what you see (today) with just the prospects and a couple of local kids, the interest is back," said Roy. "I hope it goes over well."
As for Jackie, with granddaughter Alexis Kant on her knee, "I can hardly wait for Sept. 21 (opening game)," she said.
On the Web
See more IceDogs photos in The Standard's online gallery: www.stcatharinesstandard.ca (http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca)
ALISON ROGERS
Sports - Monday, July 09, 2007 @ 01:00
The Niagara IceDogs announced their presence in St. Catharines with a weekend prospects camp.
"We arrived this weekend," said owner Bill Burke as he took in Sunday's Teepees vs. Blackhawks game at the Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre.
Surveying the 200 people in attendance, Burke said he was impressed with the turnout to see players who likely won't skate with the IceDogs for another year.
"Wait until camp opens Aug. 28," he said. "Then you'll see our six NHL prospects."
The IceDogs' souvenir booth did steady business over the two days the prospects underwent fitness testing, group meetings and on-ice scrimmages.
Sales topped $1,300 in shirt and hat sales, with several items selling out.
Burke said the club did its best to impress its propects and their parents.
"These kids have already impressed us - we drafted them," he explained. "We want to be different. On draft day, we want to be the team everyone wants to play for.
"
The pitch rang true with 17-year-old forward Cohen Adair and his family. They made the trek from Stratford to learn more about the club that made Adair its 12th pick in the draft.
"He had a good day," said Adair's father, Tim. "He's coming off a knee injury from two weeks ago.
"He won't make it this year, but maybe next year," Tim Adair added. Adair's red squad defeated the white team 5-1 in Sunday's skirmish. He'll look to hook on with a AAA team near home after playing AA last year with the Stratford Midget Cullitons.
Tim and Sue Adair hope their son will land with the IceDogs down the road, meaning he'll be within a two-hour drive of home. Cohen is the oldest of three boys at home, with Eli, 14 and Ethan, 11.
"The parent talk was great," said Cohen's father. "They're saying all the right things."
Burke said the IceDogs' best players will be in camp in August, having gone through the the prospects camp once or twice already.
"This is an experience for them," he said, nodding to the younger players on the ice. "Next year it'll be their turn to step up and make the team."
While the IceDogs have arrived, the club makes its official launch to the business community at a brunch reception Tuesday.
Burke said there are still a couple of issues to be worked out with council over advertising on the boards at Jack Gatecliff Arena, the team's home rink.
Mayor Bryan McMullan is co-host of the Tuesday morning session and Burke doesn't foresee any problems when council considers the modifications tonight.
The IceDogs have sold more than 800 season tickets on their way to the goal of 2,000. Burke said the club is also hoping to sign up 50 Founder's Club members to secure the team's finances for a few years down the road. The $15,000 investment provides companies with a rink board, advertising banner, full-page program ad and an exclusive leather jacket.
Burke said one woman purchasing an IceDog shirt on Saturday said she wished the team luck, but is pretty sure it won't succeed.
Burke said the IceDogs have already won over many folks, but knows there's more work ahead.
Roy Cummings and his wife, Jackie, won't need any convincing. The pair travelled to Brampton and Toronto to take in OHL hockey games last year.
"From what you see (today) with just the prospects and a couple of local kids, the interest is back," said Roy. "I hope it goes over well."
As for Jackie, with granddaughter Alexis Kant on her knee, "I can hardly wait for Sept. 21 (opening game)," she said.
On the Web
See more IceDogs photos in The Standard's online gallery: www.stcatharinesstandard.ca (http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca)