John Kotnik
Dear editor:
The Fort Frances Lakers of the SIJHL have a home in Fort Frances and the district. The team’s existence evolved out of a short window of opportunity when some courageous and passionate fans organized themselves into a community-owned, not-for-profit hockey club.
The Fort Frances Lakers’ board and volunteer pool continually prepare to meet the challenges of operating a Junior ‘A’ hockey franchise.
Charged with optimism at the outset of the current 2010/11 hockey season, the Fort Frances Lakers’ board and fans thought for sure that they could aspire to new levels of success with renewed support from Fort Frances, International Falls, and the Rainy River District.
Corporate sponsorship is always pursued by the Fort Frances Lakers’ board. Sponsorships are challenging to get, especially with so many organizations competing for limited sponsorship dollars from businesses surviving in difficult economic times.
Simply put, without sponsors the Lakers could not survive.
It’s extremely important to thank our sponsors for their continued support of the Fort Frances Lakers. Your support has been the financial heartbeat of the Lakers’ hockey team.
Needless to say, the Lakers’ board definitely would like to extend and consolidate their sponsorships.
Despite a volunteer pool with commitment and dedication, the Fort Frances Lakers’ board and volunteer pool needs more volunteer help and financial support. Revenue streams have a tough time matching the exorbitant operating expense of running a Junior ‘A’ hockey team.
The Fort Frances Lakers’ board and volunteer pool are looking for ways to generate more revenue to ensure the sustainability of Junior ‘A’ hockey in Fort Frances and the district. Embracing some ideas for change and a rejuvenated view for optimism, the Fort Frances Lakers’ board and the Lakers’ hockey team is aspiring to make 2011/12 their best season yet—on and off the ice.
The 2011/12 Lakers’ hockey season could be the beginning of a “new look” of operations and successes for the Fort Frances Lakers’ board and team.
However, it’s puzzling that Fort Frances, “Hockey Town Northwestern Ontario,” and the district struggles to support Junior ‘A’ hockey. It has been said many times before that Fort Frances and the district have many hockey memories dating back to 1951-52 when the Fort Frances Canadians won the Allan Cup.
We have an opportunity to build on these memories.
Strategies and ideas will be discussed and brainstormed this hockey season (2011/12) with all volunteer stakeholders and the Lakers’ board in an attempt to find ways to increase the fan base. The Lakers’ hockey team is grateful for their fan support, and can brag and say that they have the best fan support in the SIJHL.
The Lakers’ board and volunteer pool will be pro-active and do what they can to encourage more fans to come to Lakers’ games.
Mayor and council, is there opportunity to increase/enhance your support of the Lakers? The Lakers are a significant business partner in the town and district, contributing significant dollars in expenses.
Yes, as one councillor stated, the Lakers do receive about $2,000 from the town by way of in-kind donations. Thank you!
Mayor and council, come on out and enjoy the playoffs. Your presence would be a welcome addition to the Lakers’ fan base. Mayor and councillors, “Public service is the rent you’re paid to be good stewards of the community you manage.”
The Lakers’ hockey players are great community citizens and their community involvement is noteworthy! They, through the Adopt-a-School program, contribute in some small way to the literacy of school children.
Lakers’ players have helped out with the Fort Frances Minor Hockey program, and also helped shovel snow off community outdoor rinks. The Fort Frances Lakers have supported the “Healthy Living” food box program. At Christmas, Lakers’ players rang bells and collected money for the Salvation Army at Safeway and Canadian Tire, and also had a float in the annual Christmas parade.
Lakers’ players handed out coupons and assisted with serving one Saturday morning at McDonald’s Restaurant. Last year at Boston Pizza, they sold Valentine hearts to customer to help with a relief response cause for the 2010 Haiti earthquake disaster.
Heather Johnson, the RBC branch manager in Fort Frances, requested that Lakers’ players have a “meet and greet” day with branch customers. The players certainly endeared themselves to RBC branch employees and the public with the community spirit and involvement.
Let’s not underscore the success of the Lakers this season. This year, the team finished second in the SIJHL and are in the midst of making a strong run for the SIJHL crown. Coach Wayne Strachan won coach-of-the-year in the SIJHL, Lakers’ captain Tyler Stevenson won the most sportsmanlike award in the SIJHL, and Blake Boaz was names as the league’s top defensive forward.
Recently, it was announced by the SIJHL that assistant captain Morgan McNeill received the RBC Scholarship Award for the league.
Granted, not everyone gives “two hoots” about Junior ‘A’ hockey. However, if Junior ‘A’ hockey disappeared from the scope of recreational opportunities in Fort Frances and the district, there would be many “sad sacks.”
Gone also would be the opportunity for local hockey players to continue their hockey careers playing Junior ‘A’ hockey in their hometown, Fort Frances, “Hockey Town Northwestern Ontario.”
What are the next steps? It’s incumbent upon the Lakers’ organization to determine their destiny and fate. The Lakers’ board, hockey team, and volunteer pool will strive to make it happen but more volunteer help, sponsorships, and donations will extend and consolidate the sustainability of Junior ‘A’ hockey in Fort Frances and the district.
If you are a fan of Junior ‘A’ hockey in our community, “walk the talk” and demonstrate your volunteerism in some way.
Remember, “volunteerism is the rent you pay to live in a good community.”
We need you!
Sincerely,
John Kotnik
Friends of
the Lakers
