Thursday, August 28, 2008

Rampage ready to head to camp


Prince Rupert's entry into the Central Interior Hockey League is working out the last minute details in preparation for the beginning of their season on September 27th.

The Prince Rupert Rampage have their evaluation camp set for the first week of September and then will assemble their line up for the debut year in the CIHL.

The Daily news provided some background on the progress of the team in the August 19 edition of the paper.

Rupert Rampage schedule now set
By Patrick Witwicki
The Daily News
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Pages one and six

A Rampage is only two months away from hitting Prince Rupert.

After an absence of senior men’s hockey for more than 20 years – with the exception of a brief return in the mid-1990’s – professional hockey is finally returning to Prince Rupert, as the Rupert Rampage officially join the Central Interior Hockey League (CIHL) for the 2008-09 season, with the campaign officially getting underway in Kitimat on Sept. 27.

“We’ve worked with the city to get (our) schedule worked out,” said team treasurer Bruce Tessier. “People are looking to gee the season get going… and they want to see good hockey.”

Rupert’s home opener is set for Oct. 11, also against Kitimat.

The thirst for local hockey was truly evident last season, first when the RCMP and Firefighters hosted a charity hockey game, followed by the Rupert midget A Seawolves hosting the Northwest single A zones.

From that point onward, local organizers have worked hard to make Rupert’s heralded return to the league a reality.

The next step is ensuring that the people of Prince Rupert can afford to attend games at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre, and the announcement regarding season tickets is just around the corner.

“We’re looking at season ticket prices,” said Tessier.

“And we’re looking at making season tickets affordable.”

One individual who won’t have to worry about paying for season tickets is none other that the Daily News’ CFL guru Reggie Huskins, who was the lucky draw winner in “naming the team” raffle.

Tessier said the name Rampage was not one of the entries, so they placed everyone who sent in a name suggestion into a raffle, and pulled out a name – and voila, Huskins won.

A winner for submitting a logo will also be named at a later date, possibly at the unveiling that will be announced in the very near future, said Tessier.

“We’ll release the logo at the last minute,” he said. “The logo is being drafted up as we speak.”

The team has decided to go “Canadian” choosing Team Canada white, red and black as the primary colours.

Meanwhile, sponsorship is also going well, said Tessier, as local businesses continue to come on board to support the team.

“Some are coming on gradually,” he said. One aspect Rupert has done to ensure the team works is to combine it with the local rec hockey league. In this manner, the senior men’s team and the rec league is now insured and recognized by B. C. Hockey, but it also means that any player who suits up for the Rampage must also compete in the rec league.

Meanwhile, the ice is already in, and shift hockey has begun, so players interested in making the team can start playing hockey.

“Guys can dust off their skates and get going,” said Tessier.

A three-day dry-land conditioning camp is set for Sept. 3, 6 and 7, while the actual try-outs for the hockey team will be held Sept. 8, 10 and 13. For more information contact Tessier, Mike Slubowski, or Ron German (all phone numbers in the book) or email prseniorhockey@hotmail.com.

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