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The Lakers Make the AHL
By Zach Regiec The Southdale Lakers and the Dakota Lazers competed right down to the very end to become a professional hockey team for one night next season. It’s every young player’s dream to don a professional hockey player’s jersey, but it’s also all professional hockey players’ aspirations to give back to local community hockey. Kyle Balharry, Manitoba Moose Director of Marketing and Game Production, wanted to support and promote the grass roots of hockey, so the Moose created an innovative way for Manitoba Moose players to return to their roots and wear a local community club’s jersey in support of the minor hockey community. “We all dream of wearing a pro-jersey, however, what’s even more exciting is seeing your community colors sported by our professional hockey club. It’s a great way for us to show support to the community clubs that give so much to hockey,” said Balharry. From November 2007 to April 5, 2008 the Manitoba Moose ran a promotion that allowed community clubs to get credit for each Manitoba Moose ticket their clubs purchased in hopes to have their jerseys worn during a Moose game at the MTS Centre. The Southdale Lakers (1171 tickets) beat out 220 other communities/community clubs to have their jerseys worn on Minor Hockey Night 2009. The Lakers biggest challenger was the Dakota Lazers (1082 tickets) who also worked hard to have the Moose don their jerseys. Rick Harding, President, Southdale Community Club was really happy his club won the promotion. “It’s great. I think it’ll get our kids very excited,” and “it will give our club lots of new exposure,” said Harding. In addition to seeing their club’s jerseys whip around the ice, the Lakers will receive six game worn Southdale Lakers’ jerseys autographed by Moose players. They will also enjoy a pancake breakfast at Southdale Community Club hosted by Moose players, coaches, and staff in October 2008. The Lazers hard-work paid off as well. Their second place prize will be hosting an outdoor Manitoba Moose practice at their community club during the 2008-2009 season. “No question our community would love it,” and “it brings the professional level down to the community. It gives our kids something to look forward to,” said Chris Sobkowicz, Dakota Community Club, General Manager. The Community Jersey Promotion will start up again at the beginning of the 2008 season. The promotion will again allow communities/community clubs to purchase tickets and earn credits in hopes to have their jerseys worn by the Moose during an AHL game in 2009-2010.
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2007-08 Jersey Program Final Result