The Dryden GM Ice Dogs are hoping to extend their partnership with the Dryden Rotary Club next season.
Rotary supported the Junior Hockey team this past season with 50/50 draws and providing season passes to kids.
Ice Dogs President Mike Sveinson says it was a huge success and well received by fans.
Sveinson addressed Rotary members Wednesday in a virtual meeting and stated both organizations are all about “community” and that’s why the partnership makes sense.
“There’s so much cross-over in the initiatives there, what we are doing in the community. When you brought the flag out on the ice that night and we had the puck drop, it was really a proud moment for me personally to partner with you guys, so I want to say thank you.”
Rotary sponsored a game late in the 2019-2020 season and it was an emotional moment when longtime Ice Dogs supporter and Rotary member Joanne Bunny came to centre ice to drop the puck.
In terms of 50/50, Sveinson says they were able to raise roughly $11,000 this past season which is 5% of their operating budget.
If the season didn’t end early because of COVID-19, Sveinson projects $15,000 in revenue or 6-7% of their operating budget.
He stresses this is critical for the continued operation of the longest running team in the Superior International Junior Hockey League.
In terms of free tickets to school aged kids, Sveinson says the initiative changed the dynamics of game day, stressing youth came out in droves and made it an exciting environment.
At the Wednesday meeting, Rotary agreed with Sveinson about wanting to continue the partnership the same way it operated this past season.
