The Western Hockey League is returning to Victoria after a 17-year absence.
The league confirmed Wednesday the cityB次元官网网址檚 worst-kept secret: the Chilliwack Bruins will locate here for the 2011-2012 season.
The Bruins were sold this year to RG Properties, the company that operates the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.
B次元官网网址淭his arena originally was built for a WHL team B次元官网网址� we had that in mind all along,B次元官网网址� said Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin.
The WHL is a major junior league for 15- to 20-year-olds with 22 teams in Western Canada and the U.S.
The new team doesnB次元官网网址檛 have a name yet, although five options were mentioned, including the Capitals and the Royals. The name will be chosen by a vote.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 exciting for the town,B次元官网网址� said ex-WHLer Bruce Courtnall. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e always thought it was a shame we lost the (Victoria Cougars) when we did (in 1994).B次元官网网址�
It will take dedication from fans to make this WHL team a success in Victoria, said Dave Dakers, president of RG PropertiesB次元官网网址� sports and entertainment division.
B次元官网网址淲hen it gets to this level, (fans) drive home the importance of what the kids (players) are doing,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚t focuses them on the task at hand and whether itB次元官网网址檚 financially or on the ice, it is solely responsible for the success of the franchise.B次元官网网址�
Dakers said studies on the WHLB次元官网网址檚 economic impact in other cities show returns between $15 million and $30 million annually, in spinoffs and direct spending.
B次元官网网址淛ust like they say it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a city to raise a WHL team,B次元官网网址� Dakers said.
Fortin added the local business community needs to step up to make the team successful as well.
ThatB次元官网网址檚 because when the Cougars skipped town in 1994 and moved to Prince George, lack of corporate sponsorship was a major factor.
B次元官网网址淎t the time a lot of businessesB次元官网网址� headquarters were located in Vancouver,B次元官网网址� said Brandi Brodsky, vice-president of the Prince George Cougars. B次元官网网址淚t was really hard to get sponsorship dollars at the time.B次元官网网址�
Things arenB次元官网网址檛 the same now, Fortin said.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e growing up as a city. WeB次元官网网址檙e a different city than we were 17 years ago when the Cougars left. We are a capital city that has moved and advanced forward and I think weB次元官网网址檙e more sophisticated. WeB次元官网网址檙e ready for the product.B次元官网网址�
RG Properties wouldnB次元官网网址檛 confirm what would be the fate of the Salmon Kings B次元官网网址� VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 pro team in the ECHL and current tenants of Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena B次元官网网址� after their playoff run for the Kelly Cup ends this season, saying that information would be released after the playoffs.
VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 WHL team will take to the ice this fall. Season tickets are on sale at www.whl.ca.
ecardone@vicnews.com
