It’s that time of year again.
Time to get your season tickets for the Quesnel Millionaires.
The Quesnel Millionaires may be out of the playoffs, but there’s a buzz of activity behind the scenes.
The coaches are scouring the country for players and organizing evaluation camps.
Given the quality of players returning from last season, the 2011-2012 season promises to be exciting.
Local players like Daryl DeVries and Derek Huisman from Smithers, Chris Albee from Prince George and Spencer Graboski from Quesnel had good seasons and surely will have even better seasons ahead of them.
All indications point to the Millionaires having a great season.
Of course, what the Mills also need is a new arena and an arena full of fans.
The number of season tickets sold last year was close to 500, an improvement from the previous year.
But to be a viable franchise, Bob Sales, president of the Quesnel Millionaires, said the team needs to sell 750 season tickets.
The anticipation of a great 2011/2012 season has already begun to spread through the community.
That spells good news for ticket sales.
By the end of March, Al Manderson, director of marketing with the Mills, said the team had already sold more than 100 season tickets. A big improvement over last year.
Despite the improved ticket sales, the team still has a ways to go to reach 750. To lose the franchise would be a shame. It is a source of pride in the community and minor hockey players look up to the Mills as role models.
Of course there are the financial benefits the Millionaires bring to the Gold Pan City, benefits that total upwards of $3 million.
Imagine the city of Quesnel without the Millionaires.
Now go buy your season tickets.
– Percy N. Hébert, Observer