Due to a lack of registrations, the CanElson Drilling Estevan Bruins hockey team was forced to postpone their city-wide street hockey tournament, which was supposed to take place August 8 at the Affinity Place parking lot.
Bruins director of operations and marketing Clark Munroe said the club was hoping to get 24 teams signed up for the inaugural fund-raising event, but they would have gone ahead with a minimum of around eight to 10 teams. He said since there were only five teams registered for the adult social/competitive tourney they decided to reschedule it for a later date this fall.
“We see an opportunity to maybe pick a date closer to our season or after the beginning of our season,” said Munroe, noting the Bruins' first regular season home game is September 18 against the Melville Millionaires. “That actually might be more beneficial for not only us, but everybody else who wants to get involved.”
Munroe said the five teams that registered have already been refunded their $300 participation fee and the Bruins are not out any money spent in pre-tournament preparation thanks to sponsorship and volunteer help. He said the hope is for these people and businesses to stick with the team for the rescheduled date.
“We already have a good foundation for the event in place,” he said. “We just need to pick the right time and make it happen.”
The Bruins’ Steve Earle and the Dukes concert after-party fund-raiser Aug. 14 at the Power Dodge Curling Centre is still scheduled. The after-party is open to people who attend the concert as well as anyone else who just wants to have a fun Friday night out.
Munroe said the Bruins’ season ticket blitz that ended July 31 went very well and they are currently sitting at around 60 per cent of their goal of 700 packages sold. He said the Bruins will keep the push going over the coming month and a half to reach their goal and they’re very optimistic it will happen.
“We are planning to go door-to-door at some point this month (to sell tickets),” said Munroe. “Then we also plan to go to the Farmers’ Market one more time this year…so that will be one more push right before the season starts and our office is open all the time. We’re still selling season tickets and we’re hoping to reach our goal of 700 before the season starts.”
