The viability of community-owned junior hockey teams was brought to the spotlight this week after the Grande Prairie Storm of the Alberta Junior Hockey League announced they are fighting for survival.
The Prince George Spruce Kings have also been community-owned for 45 years.
MYPGNOW caught up with General Manager Mike Hawes this week and he says the club is in good standing.
“We have been here for 45 years and I anticipate we will be here for another 45, we get great support from the community and financially we are very stable.”
Hawes adds a major fundraiser has maintained the viability of the Spruce Kings.
“Essentially what we are is a Show Home Lottery with a junior hockey team attached to it that’s how huge the lottery is for us and people throughout BC buy tickets for that show which supports us. It’s crucial for us because without it we don’t survive.”
He adds the team is happy with the community-owned model and is not pursuing any private partners.
Northern BC has already lost two BCHL teams in the Quesnel Millionaires and the Williams Lake Timber-wolves.
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