ECHL Ontario Reign

Reign Drop the Gloves and Get Involved

March 24, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Ontario Reign News Release


ONTARIO, Calif. - The Ontario Reign may be new to the Inland Empire, but they have wasted no time getting involved with their community.

During their inaugural season, the Reign announced their partnership with three Inland Empire youth hockey teams, to whom they provide jerseys, socks, and coaches' warm-ups. The Reign also held a donation drive for victims of the Freeway Complex Fire during one of their home games. In early December, the Reign hosted a toy drive to benefit Steven's Hope For Children, an Upland-based non-profit organization that assists children (and their families) who are undergoing extensive care or rehabilitation away from home. On Tuesday, March 17, the team participated in another charity event for Steven's Hope with the Ontario Fire Department. Players visited with fans and helped wait tables at a local restaurant, with all tips benefitting the charity. The Reign was also a part of the ABC show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in February. They helped build a tiger playpen for the Forever Wild Exotic Animal Sanctuary in Phelan, CA. The episode is scheduled to air on Sunday, March 29 on ABC.

"Community involvement is a huge priority for us," said Reign Head Coach Karl Taylor. "It is important for the team to be viewed as role models, and it's critical that we give back to the community that supports us."

On January 17, the Reign hosted a charity match-up between the Ontario and New York Fire Departments. Proceeds from tickets, program sales, the 50-50 raffle, and a silent auction that featured a signed FDNY jersey totaled over $9,000. The night's events benefitted the Muscular Dystrophy Fund and the Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome Family Network.

"We have a responsibility to this exceptional community we're a part of to give back to those in need", said Justin Kemp, Executive Vice President of Business Operations for the Reign. "Our goal is to be not just a local hockey team, but a community asset and one that makes this a better place to live for us all."

Sunday, January 25, the Reign wore the jerseys of their NHL affiliate, the Los Angeles Kings, when they faced off against the Utah Grizzlies. At the conclusion of the game, the Reign held a live auction that allowed fans to bid on the game-worn jerseys. The auction raised $30,975 for the San Antonio Community Hospital.

The Reign held their second "Jerseys Off Our Backs" auction on "Pink At The Rink" night on Friday, February 6. The entire night was aimed towards raising awareness about breast cancer. The team auctioned off their game-worn pink themed jerseys and raised $36,075 for the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation.

The third "Jerseys Off Our Backs" auction was held after the "Go Green" game on Saturday, March 7. The special edition game-worn green jerseys were auctioned off immediately after the match, and raised $42,400 for the Frontier Project.

On March 21, the Reign held their final "Jerseys Off Our Backs" auction of the season. The Reign wore special edition military-themed jerseys during their game on Military Appreciation Night. Those game-worn jerseys,sponsored by Ice Town, fetched $52,000 in a post-game auction, a portion of which went to the Loma Linda University Children's Hospital. The last jersey auction brought the season total raised to $161,450.

"The fan support we've gotten this season has blown everyone's expectations out of the water," said Reign defenseman Shawn Germain. "I've played for a lot of teams, and our fans are by far the best in the league."

The Reign participated in Read Across America Week and Dr. Seuss Guest Reader Day on Monday, March 2 and Tuesday, March 3. Members of the Reign visited seven local elementary schools and read The Magic Hockey Stick and Z is For Zamboni to students in various grades.

"It's always great when you get the opportunity to get out in the community and help. As professional athletes, we are given a great deal of responsibility in being positive role models for these kids and someone they can look up to," said Reign left wing Ryan MacGregor, who was one of the 18 members of the Reign who read to elementary school students. "It's always a very humbling experience walking into a classroom and seeing all the kids' faces light up... we are very excited and thankful with how we've been embraced by the community and look forward to giving back whenever the opportunity presents itself."

For information on getting the Reign involved in future community events, please contact the Reign front office at (909)941-7825.

Check out the Ontario Reign Statistics



ECHL Stories from March 24, 2009


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