Silver Sticks Program Unveiled
June 19, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Saint John Flames News Release
Saint John, NB - The Saint John Flames announced today the formation of the Silver Sticks, a community-based organization aimed at preserving professional hockey for Southern New Brunswick.
The group has three main objectives: promote the value the Flames bring to Southern New Brunswick, generate new Flames season ticket holders and assist in maintaining a healthy Flames season ticket base, all on a long-term basis.
Membership in the Silver Sticks is open to everyone, with four criteria to meet:
1. Silver Sticks candidates must be passionate about maintaining professional hockey for Southern New Brunswick. 2. They must serve as an ambassador for Flames hockey. 3. They must be a Flames season ticket holder. 4. They must add ten new season tickets to the Club's existing base.
Silver Sticks membership will be automatically renewed each season based on the renewal of the member's ten recruited season tickets. Should any of the ten not renew, the Silver Stick member will be responsible for generating an equal number of new sales to maintain his or her list at ten.
There is no time limit on achieving Silver Sticks status. Once a candidate recruits a new season ticket holder, the seats will be placed on the candidate's protected list and will remain there as long as they remain as season tickets. The candidate will be awarded Silver Sticks status when their protected list reaches ten seats.
"We believe the Silver Sticks will become one of the most important cornerstones of our organization," stated Flames Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Stew MacDonald. "Although, at first glance, this program appears to be a short-term ticket sales opportunity, in fact it is quite the opposite.
"Our membership goals are very modest for the upcoming season. The real value comes in future years when a broader Silver Sticks membership base will assist us in servicing and maintaining a significant percentage of our season ticket holders."
Members of the Silver Sticks will be recognized during a pre-game induction ceremony annually. Each member will also receive a variety of items signifying their status as a Silver Stick.
The Silver Sticks program was developed in cooperation with the Flames Community Support Group.
Jack Keir, chairman of the Community Support Group and co-chair of the Flames 2001 Season Ticket Drive, expressed his enthusiasm for the program.
"The Silver Sticks are all about maintaining the value professional hockey brings our region. We believe this program, which is based on passion more than incentive, will bring together people from all walks of life who are committed to that vision.
"The great part about the Silver Sticks program is that for every new season ticket holder we add, many other people will have received our message on the economic and social benefits the Flames provide. The more clearly our community understands that message, the better our chances are of maintaining pro hockey in future decades."
Terry Reed, a Flames season ticket holder and a Consultant for Investors Group in Saint John, has signed up for Silver Sticks membership.
"I am a great believer in the value the Flames deliver to Southern New Brunswick," stated Reed. "This program allows me to take action to ensure we retain that value for a long time to come."
Silver Sticks membership packages are available from the Flames administrative office in Harbour Station.
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