Thunder ready to meet its fans

After surviving a flurry of problems with scheduling and merchandise production, the Borderland Thunder–the Fort Frances-based team of the new Superior International Junior Hockey League–is ready to let the fans know they are here.
Team general manager Brent Tookenay said he’s now confident in the strides made to release information on season tickets. Beginning yesterday, fans can sign up at Skates and Blades on Scott Street.
The team then will mail information packages on tickets from there.
“We wanted to tell people what was going on but didn’t want to give information before that information would change,” he said on the delay of the schedule’s release, which had been slated for public viewing in early June.
Tookenay said one of the major barriers to get things rolling was travel. Under the original schedule, the Thunder were set to visit Thunder Bay on too many different occasions to play their three local teams.
He said the logical move would have the team play all three squads when they were in town there.
“Some felt the schedule is tailored towards Thunder Bay and them saving money on travel,” said Tookenay.
Last week, he and team president Shawn Jourdain went to Thunder Bay, where the league executives are based, to express their unhappiness in person.
SIJHL president Jerry Blazino, as he did during last month’s general meeting, stressed the importance of every team keeping themselves abreast on league matters.
“It was just a preliminary discussion of the schedule,” noted Blazino. “When you’re not tied to a situation closely, there are always questions. But I’m happy with the input they gave on the matter.”
Tookenay wasn’t concerned with the miscommunication, adding every team is watching their waistline. “I don’t think you can point the finger at everyone. All teams are on a tight budget.”
The next roadblock was releasing T-shirts bearing the team’s logo in time for Sunday’s Canada Day parade here. But Tookenay said they handed the design in too late for the shirts and jerseys to be ready.
They now should be ready by next week.
The junior ‘A’ (Tier II) hockey team will play 48 games tis year, including 24 at the Memorial Sports Centre here.
Training camp is set for Aug. 3-5, and the team is hoping to announce the signing of three local players in the next few weeks.
So far, Tookenay is confident the area will support the team they have solidly presented themselves.
“People are cautious. Everyone wants to make sure this isn’t a one-year type deal,” he said. “But I think they want to see this brand of hockey get off the ground in Northwestern Ontario.”