ICE Announce 2018-19 Hockey Operations Staff, Expanded Community Programs, Tickets for Home Opener Now on Sale
August 20, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kootenay Ice News Release
Cranbrook. B.C. - The Kootenay ICE Hockey Club made a number of significant announcements at a media conference on Monday morning.
A list of the topics covered, and the details surrounding those topics, are listed below:
2018-19 THEME: OUR ICE
The Kootenay ICE theme for the 2018-19 hockey season is Our ICE.
What does that mean? It is all about community and encouraging a source of pride in the team. This is Our ICE! The ICE have a number of initiatives centered around creating energy and excitement in the community and are encouraging all fans and businesses to show their support by using the Our ICE social images (see top image on left), purchasing Our ICE custom t-shirts to be worn on game days (see middle image on left) and attending ICE home games.
In addition, the 2018 portion of the 2018-19 regular season schedule is the celebration of 20 years in Cranbrook for the ICE. During the off-season, the ICE unveiled a 20th year in Cranbrook logo, which includes four stars. The three small stars represent the three WHL championships captured by the ICE (2000, 2002, 2011), while the large star represents the Memorial Cup championship victory (2002).
Limited merchandise featuring the 20th year commemorative logo is available at the ICE Gear Store, where season seat holders receive 15% off.
ICE EXTEND BURNETT, EWANCHUK AND LIEUWEN
The Kootenay ICE Hockey Club announced on Monday that Gord Burnett (Assistant Coach), Darcy Ewanchuk (Trainer/ Equipment Manager) and Nathan Lieuwen (Goaltending Consultant/ Video Coach) have signed extensions with the organization.
Ewanchuk has been extended for three seasons. This will be his 14th season with the ICE and 19th in the Western Hockey League. The Sherwood Park, Alberta native was with the organization when it that captured a WHL championship in 2000 and 2002, and the Memorial Cup in 2002.
Burnett has inked a two-year extension with the team. This will be Burnett's fourth season with the ICE after joining the organization in the summer of 2015. The Regina, Saskatchewan native will remain as the team's assistant coach. Before joining the ICE, Burnett served an as assistant coach with the NCAA's University of Notre Dame. He played seven seasons of professional hockey (2006-2013) in the ECHL and Central Hockey League.
Lieuwen has signed a two-year extension. He joined the ICE as its Video Coach in the summer of 2017. Now, the Abbotsford, B.C. native has added Goaltending Consultant to his title. Lieuwen played for the ICE from 2007-2012, appearing in 178 regular season games. He captured a WHL championship and was named playoff MVP with the ICE in 2011. Lieuwen played five seasons of professional hockey including a stint with the NHL's Buffalo Sabres.
In mid-June, the ICE announced that Jake Heisinger (Director, Scouting and Hockey Operations) signed a five-year contract extension and Taras McEwen (Manager, Scouting and Hockey Operations) signed a three-year extension.
In addition, the ICE are pleased to announce that the following individuals will be returning to the organization for the 2018-19 season:
James Patrick (Head Coach)
Jon Klemm (Associate Coach)
Roman Vopat (Assistant Coach)
Cory Cameron (Athletic Therapist)
Neil Ross (Strength and Conditioning Coach)
Adam Douglas (Sports Performance Consultant)
Laurie Dickson (Health and Wellness Coach) The Hockey Operations staff will also be supported by resources in the areas of mental skills training, skating coach, yoga, and chapel services.
TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR HOME OPENER PRESENTED BY SILVERADO INDUSTRIES
The Kootenay ICE Hockey Club announced on Monday that tickets are now on sale for the 2018-19 Home Opener presented by Silverado Industries.
In addition, the event, which will celebrate the 20th year in Cranbrook, will include:
A special pre-game ceremony celebrating the ICE 20 years in Cranbrook.
A tailgate party for fans (details to be released at a later date).
In-game music to be played by ICE house ban the Mile High Club presented by KD Electric.
One-thousand "Our ICE" Thundersticks to be distributed at the game. The Home Opener will take place at 7:00 p.m. MT on Saturday, September 22 at Western Financial Place.
In addition to being the presenting sponsor of the Home Opener, Silverado Industries is also the presenting sponsor of the inaugural Wilderness Camo Jersey Night on Friday, October 12, an event that our fans will not want to miss.
ICE PROVIDE DRIVE TO 25 SEASON SEAT UPDATE
The Kootenay ICE Hockey Club provided a Drive to 25 season seat update on Monday.
As of Monday morning, there are 1,598 season seats sold for the 2018-19 season. Total season seats are down 319 from the 2017-2018 season and 902 below the Drive to 25 target (2,500) first announced by the ICE in May of 2017.
Those interested in purchasing ICE season seats can access the Early Bird rate by purchasing a ticket to the 2018 Training Camp Showcase presented by The Brick. Tickets are available at:
ICE Gear Store at Western Financial Place
Kimberley Centex Market
The Brick in Cranbrook
Note: Information regarding a season seat holder pick-up event will be announced next week.
Those who purchase a ticket to the 2018 Training Camp Showcase can show their ticket stub at the ICE Gear Store and receive the Early Bird rate on ICE season seats. The offer is only available until September 15. Only one Early Bird season seat per paid ticket stub will be allowed.
The ICE also announced that individual game pricing will not increase this season, however, applicable taxes will no longer be included in the price.
Group discounted rates and special group event pricing is available by contacting the ICE Gear Store directly at info@icesportsgroup.com or 250-417-0322.
In addition, the ICE announced that flex pack ticket offerings have been discontinued at this time, following the announcement earlier this summer that mini packs were discontinued due to low purchase numbers last season. The ICE remain solely focused on season seat sales and their Drive to 25 as the primary goal of the team's efforts. A final decision on whether flex packs will be made available will come in November. The ICE encourage all patrons to consider season seats for best savings and benefits to attend ICE games this season. Season seats will continue to be available on a pro-rated basis during the season.
ICE ANNOUNCE NEW PREMIUM CLUB SEATING PRESENTED BY BEDROOM FURNITURE GALLERIES.
The ICE have partnered with Bedroom Furniture Galleries to provide a new premium club seating experience for ICE fans during the 2018-19 season. The ICE expect that the seats will be ready for the home opener on September 22. More details will follow at a later date.
The premium club seating will feature full restaurant service and a unique semi-private space for groups of four to six people on game nights.
If you are interested in reserving seats or to inquire about season seats in the Premium Club Seating section, please contact the ICE at info@icesportsgroup.com or 250-417-0322.
NEW ICE HOUSE BAND, THE MILE HIGH CLUB PRESENTED BY KD ELECTRIC, TO PLAY AT SIX GAMES DURING THE 2018-19 SEASON
The Kootenay ICE Hockey Club announced on Monday that the band titled the Mile High Club, presented by KD Electric, will play at six ICE home games during the 2018-19 regular season.
As mentioned above, one of those games will be the Home Opener presented by Silverado Industries. The other five games will be announced at a later date.
Last season, the Mile High Club performed during a game on March 4 when the ICE hosted the Medicine Hat Tigers.
In addition to sponsoring the ICE house band this season, KD Electric is also the presenting sponsor of the Cranbrook Colts celebration scheduled for Friday, November 16. The Cranbrook Colts Celebration Night will be the first of three games on the 2018-19 schedule where the ICE will wear commemorative Cranbrook Colts jerseys. The ICE will also be giving out 1,000 Jon Klemm Bobblehead dolls courtesy of KD Electric.
ICE EXPAND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
This season will see the expansion and the launch of several additional community engagement programs. Further details about the programs will be announced in the coming weeks.
A list of the community engagement programs can be found below:
Reading with the ICE presented by Western Financial Group
ICE Food Drive presented by Cranbrook Dodge
ICE Kids Club presented by Denham Ford
ICE Clothing Drive presented by Northstar GM
Jr. ICE Skater presented by Pacific Coastal Airlines
Family Fun Zone presented by Jason Wheeldon Real Estate
ICE Birthday Club presented by Boston Pizza
Community Group of the Game presented by The Brick
Minor Hockey Team of the Game presented by M&R Electric
Classroom of the Game presented by Cranbrook Mitsubishi
ICE Jr. Builder Program presented by New Dawn Developments
Local Heros Celebration Night presented by Cranbrook Mitsubishi
Family Fun Day Games presented by Ktunaxa Nation Council
Teddy Bear Toss Night presented by A&W
Pink the Rink Be a Superhero Anti-Bullying Game presented by Western Financial Group
Tim Hortons Timbits intermission featuring Timbit minor hockey players
McDonald's minor hockey intermission skills competition
ICE Kid Reporter presented by 102.9 FM The Drive
Minor Hockey Celebration Game presented by Cranbrook Mitsubishi
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