The President of Liverpool Privateers says the team felt they were on the cusp of a championship.
Bruce Inglis is reacting to the decision by the Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League to cancel the remainder of the season due to uncertainty around COVID-19.
He says the team was solid and had a chance to win it all.
“We really felt like we were the team to beat. Our biggest thing is our three overage players who are too old to return next year as they had a great shot at a championship,” Inglis said. “It’s a sad way for someone’s junior hockey career to end.”
3 young men will be too old for JR Hockey next yr. They were great Privateers. We are proud of each of them and we will never forget their contributions in Liverpool. Each of these young men just wanted to play hockey, but to us, they will forever be so much more pic.twitter.com/KZbTBLi7d2
— Liverpool Privateers (@PrivateerHocke) February 27, 2021
Inglis says it was a tough year all around with limited fans allowed in the stands and battered revenue at the gates. Typically, the Privateers would draw 500 to 600 fans at Queens Place on any given game night.
The large draws at the gate helped with team expenses and made for an electric atmosphere for the players. However, with COVID-19 health and safety protocols only 160 fans were allowed in the facility to watch.
“From a revenue standpoint that’s massive…and you have to remember a lot of teams rely on business sponsorship and it certainly hasn’t been a red letter year for the business community either.” Inglis said.
The team has partnered with the area curling club for the last four years and they run a year-round twoonie draw. Inglis says the team is also looking at starting an online 50/50 draw in the near future.
“Right now it’s just too hard to think about or plan for golf tournaments or dances or any of the traditional fundraiser’s. It’s just too difficult to do right now with the uncertainty.”
Inglis believes most of the team will be back next season, meaning the team will be strong again in 2021-2022.
“We’ll be looking to make a run at the Don Johnson Cup.”
The Privateers had nine wins and three losses when the season was scrapped and were tied for first place in the Fred Fox Division.
— Liverpool Privateers (@PrivateerHocke) February 27, 2021
