Don't miss the legendary Jim Robson on 93.3 The Peak FM this morning, just after the 8:00 Information Update as he joins us for a chat about his experiences as the play-by-play voice of the Vancouver Canucks AND his time as a 17 year old rookie working for CJAV AM in Port Alberni. As CJAV celebrates our 65th birthday, we just had to talk to our most famous alum.
How is this for crazy? Man I love the Internet sometimes! A Jim Robson Sportscast from CJAV in 1956!
If you can't get enough on the Canucks, or enough on Mr. Robson, check out his books "Hockey Play-by-Play" by clicking HERE
Catch the Canucks hosting the LA Kings tonight on 93.3 The Peak FM with the pregame show kicking off at 6:30 with the puck drop and play-by-play to follow just after 7pm.
·On-ice seminar to feature skills sessions and a fun scrimmage
·New players only need basic skating skills(can skate forward)
·FREE hockey skates available for use
·FREE registration and Bring a Friend to Try It!
·Call the Multiplex at 720-2518
The Bulldogs 2011 Spring Camp kicks off tomorrow and goes all weekend at the Multiplex. If you can't get enough hockey, head down to the Multiplex to check out some future prospects. The first ice session is at 10:30 tomorrow, with rosters available at the rink. Ice sessions go throughout the weekend - admission is FREE
Tonight is your final chance to see the Dogs on home ice until their home opener on September 17th!
The Cowichan Valley Capitals visit the Pound tonight for a 7pm puck drop...the Dogs then "visit" the Capitals tomorrow night at Kerry Park Arena. After that, it's the regular season opener a week from tonight in Powell River, followed by the home opener two weeks from tonight when the Capitals are back at the Dog Pound.
We will see you at the rink tonight. For those not making it, yes, I'll be posting updates so be sure to check back.
93.3 The Peak has you covered for Salmon Fest. As has been the case for the last 38 years, the best way to keep up to date on Salmon Fest (besides getting down there yourself) is to keep it locked to 93.3 The Peak.
We will be broadcasting live from the Salmon Fest grounds from 10am to 8pm on both Saturday and Sunday, and then from 9am to the conclusion of fishing at 3pm on Monday.
I will do my best to make this blog also a great place for updates, as I will post pictures and updates AS THEY HAPPEN on the leading fish and other festival happenings here on the blog while I am on site at Festival Grounds.
Spread the word, no one has Salmon Fest covered better than THE PEAK and this blog. Don't forget you can listen live on our website www.933thepeak.com
If you are looking for more information or Festival updates, check out the official Salmon Fest website here
Here's your Entertainment Schedule:
Friday September 3rd
6:00pm-7:00 -Daniel Martin & the Goat Boys
7:00-7:30 - Opening Ceremonies
7:30-10:00 - Diamond Dog
9:00pm Fireworks Display by Quality Foods
Saturday September 4th
10:00am-2:00pm - Debbie Reid Face Painting
12:00-1:30pm - Balloony the Clown
12:30-2:45pm - Disguised as Normal
3:00-6:00pm Karaoke Contest
7:00pm - 10:00pm Johnny Tornado's Stormriders with Wailin' Al Walker
Sunday September 5th
9:00-11:00am - Bullhead Derby
10:00am-2:00pm - Debbie Reid Face Painting
10:00am-5:00pm - Bounce Around
11:00am-12:30pm - Balloony the Clown
11:30am-12:30pm - Juno Award winning Children's entertainers "Kerplunks"
12:30-2:45pm - Shudderbug
3:00-6:00pm Karaoke Contest
7:00-10:00pm Crimson Rein
Monday September 6th
10:00am - 2:00pm - Debbie Reid Face Painting
11:00am - 4:00pm - Bounce Around
12:00 - 1:00pm - Darian Lapointe Band
1:00 - 2:30pm - Balloony the Clown
1:00 - 4:00pm - Lance Lapointe and The Moon Stones
4:00 - 5:00pm - Closing Ceremonies
The Bulldogs open their Exhibition Schedule tonight when they host the Grizzlies at the Dog Pound. Puck drop is at 7:00pm.
There will be NO BROADCAST, but I will update this blog throughout the game as things progress so be sure to check back if you can't make the game.
I always get flooded with questions this time of year as to whether or not we broadcast Exhibition Games. Quite simply, NO, we don't. Never have, and I don't think we ever will as the interest just isn't there and the station and community is pretty over taxed with Salmon Fest and the upcoming Fall Fair and Toy Run Events.
I certainly WOULD broadcast the exhibition games, but it's not up to me!
Here's an interview with Paul Esdale from the 93.3 The Peak FM Morning Show yesterday talking about everything from the summer off season to Training Camp to the some particulars on the current situation with the roster.
One of my favorite pictures of Mark from early in the season as he scored a late third period game tying goal.
The hits just keep on coming for the Dogs organization, as Mark MacMillan was included in Central Scouting's final rankings today ahead of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
Forgive us for getting excited, but this is just the SECOND player in Alberni Valley Bulldogs Franchise History to be named to Central Scouting Services pre-draft rankings.
Yes, I goofed, earlier saying that Mark was the first ever Bulldog ranked. My bad. Usually I'm pretty good for this stuff but former Bulldog Captain (and current Providence Bruin) Devin Timberlake was also ranked.
I got an email from Bulldog Bussie Ron Sandberg earlier today saying he thought that Devin was ranked before. Also kudos to Linda Yaredic for emailing me saying she thought Devin was ranked too.
I texted Devin and asked him straight out if he was ranked. He said YES, and "thanks for the bad memory Hammer"
Sorry for forgetting Timby!
I guess the hope now would be that Mark will be the first ever Bulldog DRAFTED as Devin unfortunately didn't get his name called at the draft. If Mark doesn't get picked, Devin is living proof that not getting drafted doesn't mean one single thing! His work ethic overcame no hearing his name called, saw him off to college, and now sees him playing pro hockey.
For everyone that watched Mark go from a "who knows what he can do" rookie early in the season, to a "if this kid doesn't look out he's going to get himself drafted" rookie as the season progressed, this has to be pretty gratifying.
Congrats to Mark, Mitch and the rest of the MacMillan family, exciting news!
NO, this isn't a sure bet that he will get drafted. Having said that, it certainly says something when the kid went from not on the CSS list (pre season, mid-term rankings) to all of a sudden ranked 135 out of all Eligible Domestic Skaters.
One of my favorite Mark goals....
I am doing my best to line up Mark for an interview on THE PEAK, stay tuned.
It's pretty incredible how fast things move in this day and age. Put your phone down for five minutes, and you have 12 emails already informing you that it's OFFICIAL.
Thanks for the heads up everyone.
Read all about it on the Ottawa Senators website by CLICKING HERE
I anticipate press releases from the Alberni Valley Bulldogs and the BCHL on this as well.
Any Ottawa or Binghamton fans who may stumble onto the blog wondering what David is capable of can find some highlights from this season on my youtube channel FOUND HERE
For me, it was pretty low key. I checked out the Bulldog Spring Camp for a short time, hung out at home with the family, watched a couple NHL and WHL playoff games, some of the Houston Open yesterday and enjoyed a couple great dinners.
And then I almost lost those dinners watching the last minute of the Canucks game last night. Scary scary stuff. I'm the perpetual defender of goaltenders, but Roberto Luongo looks like a water logged chunk of liccorice in there.
Ah, rumours. Man do I hate 'em.
You are probably thinking "Yeah right Hammer"
No, really. I really do hate 'em with a passion. Now you probably find that pretty funny with the business I work in. Let me explain.
What's the allure for me in knowing a rumour, when I'm not allowed to repeat it, or publish it? It becomes a burden more than anything as I KNOW the scoop, but I can't REPEAT it. I'm approached about it endlessly, and I have to plead ignorance because I don't want to rock the boat and release or confirm someone elses news. I say one thing, and the next thing you know, it's on a message board "Hammer said......." And I have some angry people to deal with. It's happened before.
The long and the short of it is this - Give me a PRESS RELEASE and I am a happy guy.
This goes on all season long, and all off season too. Throw in the fact that there is an extremely rabid fan base here (I call it "Montreal West" for a reason) and I'm put in a pretty tough position. I run the risk of looking like I'm not doing my job if I'm not chasing and reporting on every rumour that comes up at the rink or in Tim Horton's.
I look forward to the day that I might move up the ladder in the Hockey Media world, so I can leave the "reporting" to the reporters. I am NOT a reporter. I'm a play-by-play guy, I'm a Morning Show Host and a Talk Show Host. However that's not necessarily the end of it. The fact that I'm a bit of a "one-man-band" puts me square in the middle of everything which isn't an easy tap dance sometimes.
My biggest fear, is the biggest danger. That being - sometimes rumours are sometimes just that - rumours.
I have heard more things that AREN'T true, as opposed to things that are indeed TRUTH/FACT/REALITY, etc. You get the picture.
The old Port Alberni saying goes "If you haven't heard a rumour by 9am, start one!"
Let me be really clear with this one - I understand and respect 100% why everyone wants to hear the rumours, talk about the rumours, etc etc etc. From the NHL to the Junior Leagues fans give their respective teams their ALL. Their time, their money, their hearts. When you are emotionally invested in your team to that level and when you are as passionate as a die hard fan is, you just gotta know the scuttlebutt. How does that old saying go again about smoke and fire? Hearing a rumour about your team is sometimes the first step in hearing the NEWS..
Having said all of the above, this one is a bit more than just a "whisper" in a coffee shop, so I'm going to bow to public pressure and other pressures to break my own personal rule to not talk about the dreaded "rumour".
I lost count at emails and texts asking me about this one over the weekend at over 100.
I sat on the news since the end of the week hoping news would come out officially over the weekend, and I returned to the radio station this morning to at least a dozen voicemails from excited fans and sponsors asking the same two questions -
#1 Have I heard "the news"
and
#2 "is it really true"
The answers would be "YES" and "I THINK SO"
The rumour is - that Bulldogs Forward David Dziurzynski is set to sign a developmental deal with the Ottawa Senators.
Given that this isn't confirmed, that's all the info that you will get at this point.
The fact that this all came down on April fools was a cruel, cruel, cruel twist.
An almost unbelievable story - A guy signing an NHL deal straight out of Junior A, all coming down on April Fools? Come on!
To make matters worse - I played some April 1st pranks earlier on in the day on several of the people that ended up passing details on this story on to ME.
I guess you reap what you sow, eh? I had to ask several people over and over "You know April Fools ends at 12noon, RIGHT?"
No offense to David Dziurzynski, but I'm sure he understands that for some of us when we heard the story, we said "no way"
A question. Who is the last guy to sign an NHL deal straight out of Junior A?
Anyone? Beuller, Beuller?
With all the press his linemates got this season (Mitch MacMillan with 60 plus goals, Mark MacMillan with a team record for points by a rookie, with NHL scouts showing up in droves to watch his games down the stretch) it may be surprising to some that Dziurzynski is the guy that all of a sudden is going to make a major hockey jump.
It's not surprising to me in the least.
Ok, Ok, I'll concede I never thought he'd be signing an NHL contract right out of Junior. But I did see great things in him, like many other hockey watchers.
I still remember in early February when "Dizzy" lit up the Interior Conference with dominating performances in Penticton, Westside, and Trail - on back to back to back nights. I said during that broadcast in Penticton that if he continues to play that way, he could very well be the best player in the league. When I asked the coach about his play on the postgame show that night, he said the exact same thing "Playing that way, he could be the best player in the league"
Well it seems that he garnered more than enough attention for himself down the stretch to give himself an opportunity to further his hockey career.
It couldn't have happened to a better kid.
And it's pretty incredible to see a guy that was voted as the teams "Unsung Hero Award" at the end of the regular season end up anything but "Unsung" less than two months later.
Calling the games, we called Dizzy several things. I used to call him "the great 8" with apologies to Alexander Ovechkin. I never thought it would be a problem, with AO being in the NHL and Dizzy playing in the BCHL.
Yet all of a sudden I'm almost worried I'm going to get a cease and desist letter from the Ovechkin camp saying I'm stealing a nickname.
We also called him "the big man" and I likened him to the World Famous Martin Mars Waterbomber - Big, Red and White, and with that graceful "delay swoop" he did as he crossed the blueline.
Maybe now we should call him the best player to wear an Alberni Valley Bulldog uni? Your thoughts?
Fans of the Senators - both in Ottawa and in Binghamton - should be excited about this kid and his future within your organizations.
No, he's not the High Level Major Junior (OHL/QMJHL/WHL) or NCAA or Euro Pro prospect that might step right in and light up the NHL Playoffs.
He is - a late bloomer prospect that went from not knowing where he was going to play next year just two months ago, to apparently signing a developmental deal with an NHL team, which is a pretty incredible story.
Check the Sens website, check the TSN and Sportsnet "Hockey Insiders" for further information OR check back here and I'll post something when I get confirmation.
For any Sens fans that stumble here, this is a tiny example of what "Dizzy" can do. One of my favorites from him this season.
They have traded 1991 Forward Jesse Halikas to the Lloydminster Bobcats of the AJHL for future considerations.
Jesse - best of luck in the future, and thanks for your service to the Bulldogs organization. The Bobcats are getting a skilled player with some great potential to put up some numbers.
Bulldog line up tonight.
Not dressed:
Warren Muir Trent Dorais Tye Lewis
Addition to the line up tonight :
Affiliate player - 1992 forward Ryan Matthews. Matthews plays with Kerry Park in the VIJHL.
Of course Jesse Halikas and Curtis Tonello won't be in the line up as they have been traded.
Joe Scali will be my second intermission interview coming up tonight, so be sure to stay tuned in through the intermission. If you are coming to the rink tonight, bring a radio!
For those that miss it, I'll be sure to re-air it during another upcoming game.
It was pretty cool talking to Joe to hear how things are going now. Just last weekend he was sitting in Sean Avery's stall (Wayne Gretzky's last pro stall) in the New York Rangers locker room in Madison Square Garden as Cornell played in front of a sold out crowd of over 18,000 at MSG.
Wow!
Joe's favourite moment as an Alberni Valley Bulldog? No doubt about he says - it's this one....
This is from 2005-2006. Back when you could offer someone a KIDNEY and you still couldn't get a ticket to a Bulldog vs. Clipper game.
"Sold Right Out"
Can't wait for it to happen again.
And here's the news from Burnaby, as the Express have applied to move back to Coquitlam - From Eddie Gregory's Blog Burnaby Expressions
If the Express do move back Eddie, I like the sounds of "Coquitlam Queries" for a blog title!
Here's some of the highlights from Friday's double overtime. Great call by Rick on the Watson poke check. I was fooled with how it looked when it happened because he lost his stick as well.
It's been a long time since I've heard that kind of "pop" out of the crowd when that one went in and saw arms go up like that.
Some news from the Bulldogs, as they have added to and trimmed from their roster, adding defenceman Luke Fenske and releasing defenceman Matt Hutchinson.
To read the release, check it out on the Bulldogs website HERE
To Luke - Welcome to the club! And to Matt - best of luck in your career, you are a very nice young man and I wish you all the best!
A little video I took Saturday as I was running around like a Chicken with my head cut off covering the Port Alberni Toy Run for 93.3 The Peak FM while also getting read for the Bulldogs Broadcast that night!
One lucky fan had the captain's signed jersey before he was captain! Cool More great pictures from Judy....Thanks again!
Mitch MacMillan tips one in to make it 3-2 And Mark MacMillan pots a loose puck off a great second effort from Zack Mazo to tie the game at 3-3 And "Dizzy" as the guys call him, wins it in overtime. The salute. Stick around fans. Our side of the rink looks packed from my angle.
If you are looking for more pictures - You are in luck. The Bulldogs commissioned Gordon Lee to document their home opener and he ended up taking over 300 pictures! All of which I'm sure are incredible in quality.
If you are interested in ordering some, contact Dennis See at the Bulldogs office at (250) 723 4412 or by email at dsee@albernivalleybulldogs.ca
And here's an update on the Black Sheep Courtesy Randy Thoen.
Greetings,
Welcome to the beginning of the 2009-10 Rugby season. The Black Sheep have been doing some growing over the last couple of seasons and begin this season fielding 4 different teams. Beginning on Saturday at 11:30 am, the Ladies side opens the Black Sheep season at home vs. UVic. The ladies have worked hard at recruiting players in the off season and so several more players will be making their debut, let’s come out and cheer them on.
The Div. 1 Men open their season on the road this Saturday with an early start on the road (7:15 am) to allow a stop for some new boots for those who require them. They will play the UVic Norsemen in Victoria, a chance for the boys to get the first road trip out of the way, arrive and knock off the bus-dust and get their heads stuck in early.
On Sundays, the Sheep are proud to be fielding a U-15 side for boys as well as a Div 3 side for the men. The U15 Boys were to head for Cowichan for an 11:30 am start but have had their first game of the season re-scheduled. The Div. 3 Men, playing in the North Vancouver Island Rugby Union will be at home for their season opener vs. Nanaimo with the kick-off happening at 1 pm. All home games happen at the Black Sheep Rugby facilities at the top of Argyle St. , everyone is welcome to come and cheer the Sheep on.
Good Luck to all of the Sheep sides in their opening weekend!
_______________________
CALLING ALL COACHES!!!
When: Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Time: 5:30pm Multiplex Upper Lounge ~7:00pm on ice~Bring Appropriate Gear
Guest Instructor: Mr. Len Barrie of Victoria, B.C
Topic(s): Skating and Small Area Games and general into to FlexxCOACH to interactive coaching software
I'm going to try my hand at live blogging tonight, as the Dogs host the Grizz. Credit for the technology goes to Ryan Pinder over at the Penticton Vees Blog
I saw how he used the cover it live chat room during one of the Vee's exhibition games and I thought it was pretty cool how he had running updates but also interaction between fans and parents alike who joined in.
So please do the same tonight and I'll do my best to keep you up to date on the game!
Thanks again to Danno. And Dan makes a good point - good on the Times Colonist for sending Sharie up to Nanaimo for only an exhibition game.
And Dan completes the hat trick with this story by Kevin Rothbauer from the Cowichan Valley Citizen reporting on the Capitals 7-2 win over the Nanaimo Clippers. "Prospects put on a show"
For all the news/notes/info and schedules and anything else you might need for Salmon Fest this weekend, I encourage you to do 1 or all of these 3 things.
1)LISTEN TO THE PEAK live all weekend as Jolie and I will be filing reports throughout the event
2) CHECK OUT THIS BLOG because I will be updating it with any info that comes in during my time live at the grounds
3) Check out the official Salmon Fest website HERE
FINALLY, the Alberni Valley Bulldogs Exhibition season kicks off tonight. I know, it hasn't been THAT long but it's just another step to REAL hockey, which I've been waiting for since last February. And that is a LONG time! So I'm more than a little excited with another step being taken here to get to the regular season.
I won't be making it down to Victoria tonight, but I'll be at the POUND tomorrow (sounds great to say that again) as the Bulldogs host the Cowichan Valley Capitals for a 7pm start time. If anyone is going to be attending the game tonight, I'd love some text message score updates if you are so technically inclined.
Any Bulldog fans going down? My buddy Grizz' fan Dave are you going? Drop me a line HERE if anyone is going or text me if you already have my number!
(image: Royal Canadian Golf Association)
Wow, another National Championship for Jackie Little!
Huge congrats to Jackie for defending her title at the Royale Cup, the Canadian Senior Women's Championship.
I can't believe it's already that time again! The Bulldogs 2009/2010 training camp opens today at the Alberni Valley Multiplex with the first on-ice session beginning at 12 noon.
Scrimmages will go all week every night at 7:30pm.
I'll do my best today to grab a couple pictures and a couple words with Bulldogs Head Coach and GM Nolan Graham to be sure to check back.
We'll see you at the rink!
Thanks to Susie from the Alberni Valley News for sending me this article, a write up by Annie Fowler for the Tri City Herald.
Finally - GOLF. Something that's talked about this blog probably a little too much for the most of you. Sorry! This story is quite interesting to me. The impact Golf has on the economy in this country.....a 13.6 BILLION dollar industry? Over 340,000 jobs? W O W.
The Bulldogs Summer Hockey School kicks off today! And a week from today, it's the first day of training camp.
This is why I'm trying to golf as much as possible right now. Soon, I won't be able to get out there at all! Speaking of golf, how about Y.E. Yang yesterday? At the same time, how about Tiger Woods? I haven't putted good lately, but I think I could have made some of the ones he missed yesterday. Yang, you are the man, mang. What a performance. Yang rallies on Woods to win PGA
And last but not least, Hockey Canada is set to unveil the Mens (and Womens?) 2010 Olympic Hockey uniforms today. Apparently the unveiling happened last week. Nothing can be kept a secret anymore, it seems....icethetics.info gets credit for the image and the leak.
I said it when the legacy fund was announced, and I'll say it again now - this is why Port Alberni deserves to host more events of this calibre. Quite simply, they are a huge success. The U17 Challenge was over long ago, but the legacy will be left behind in the Valley and on the Island for years to come.
2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge announces Legacy Fund recipients
The World Under-17 Hockey Challenge Legacy will soon be in the hands of organizations across the central island. Organizers recently completed the evaluation process and will be allocating funds to over 20 regional initiatives ranging from facility improvements to development programs, equipment upgrades, coaching Initiatives, and KidSport contributions. A detailed list is attached.
The Legacy Fund Committee congratulates the successful applicants.“The 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge created many lasting legacies and the committee is excited to support a wide range of projects across the partner communities” said Committee Chair Ron Paulson.
Funds were allocated to the AlberniValley and the five partner venues – Campbell River, ComoxValley, CowichanValley, Nanaimo and Oceanside. The remaining 30% ($75,000) of the total Legacy available will be distributed through BC Hockey membership programming.
AlberniValley35%($87,500)
Nanaimo8.75%($21,880)
Campbell River6.56%($16,400)
ComoxValley6.56%($16,400)
Oceanside6.56%($16,400)
CowichanValley6.56%($16,400)
The 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge was held December 28, 2008 to January 4, 2009 at the Alberni Valley Multiplex and partner venues across Vancouver Island.
For More Information contact your local Legacy Fund Committee member or:
2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge Legacy Fund Recipients
AlberniValley Minor Hockey/Hockey Canada Skills Academy$42,500
Equipment for off ice training andrink dividers
Coaching resource center
Goalie equipment
Renovated storage facilities
Scholarship/Bursary Program
NanaimoParks, Recreation and Culture/Nanaimo Minor Hockey$21,900
Arena upgrades including new board glass, rink divider boards and nets.
Cliff McNabb Arena Score Board and digital clocks
Port Alberni Parks & Recreation$21,500
Facilities improvements for the Alberni Valley Multiplex including automatic door openers,a floor cleaning machine, Penalty box doors, Automatic External Defibrillator, Cordless microphone unit and Skate training aides
Campbell River Minor Hockey Association$16,400
Strathcona Place score clock and lighting upgrade
CowichanValley Organizing Committee$16,400
Renovations to the Cowichan Arena, which will include a four-sided score clock and upgrade to the lighting system
Regional District of Nanaimo – Oceanside Parks & Recreation Department$13,250
Oceanside Place Scoreclock replacement
Comox Valley Regional District$11,900
Renovate arena seating area
AlberniValley Minor Hockey/Female Program$8,000
Equipment lending and Offiiciating Development program
Alberni Valley/Oceanside Minor Hockey Associations$6,000
Joint Female Development Program that focuses on fun, skill development and team building
Port Alberni Kid Sport$5,000
Funding for sport registration fees for under-priviledged youth
AlberniValley Minor Lacrosse$4,800
Funding for new shot clocks and goalie gear
Comox Valley Regional District$2,500
Automatic External Defibrillator for the ComoxValley Sports Centre
ComoxValley Kid Sport$2,000
Funding for sport registration fees for under-priviledged youth
Oceanside Generals Jr. Hockey ClubParksville$1,000
Trophies and awards for the 2010 Cyclone Taylor Cup Provincial Jr. B Hockey Championship
For Immediate Release …… Alberni Wrestling Thanks Drags and Announces 50/50 Winners
The Alberni Valley Wrestling Club would like to thank the Alberni Valley Drag Race Association for the opportunity to once again contribute to the Thunder in the Valley Drag Races and to raise much needed funds at the event through our very popular 50/50 sales.
Alberni Wrestling have been involved as volunteers in the Thunder in the Valley event for all 9 years of its existence. Over the years Alberni Wrestling has provided help in many areas at the races as we do for many other community events. Currently we provide the labour force for both the set up and takedown of the event as well as the security personel. In return for this significant contribution to the Thunder event the Drag Race Association does not pay Alberni Wrestling but they give us the right to run the 50/50 draws. The proceeds from these 50/50 draws at Thunder in the Valley have become an important part of our yearly fundraising efforts. Clearly this is a win/win scenario for both the Drag Race Association and Alberni Wrestling.
This agreement is also a big winner with the Drag race participants and fans since the Thunder in the Valley 50/50 has become a very popular part of the event. 50/50 sales are always brisk at the drags and the result is large pots being won by extremely happy participants. Where the winners are coming from also shows the popularity of the Thunder in the Valley with visitors from all over BC. This year’s winners were …..
·Saturday 12 pm Draw – Ted Gilbert of Port Alberni
·Saturday 4 pm Draw - Dave Beal of Duncan
·Sunday 12 pm Draw - Kevin Erickson of Duncan
·Sunday 4 pm Draw - Brenda Bentien of Kelowna
All draw prizes were claimed and all proceeds accounted for once again this year.
Alberni Wrestling would like to thank everyone who supported their 50/50 sales again this year. Thank you to all of our fantastic wrestling volunteers and to the Alberni Valley Rescue Squad who provided several volunteers to assist us this year in exchange for part of the proceeds. All other funds go back into programs that support our wrestlers all season long such as equipment, uniforms, entry fees, transportation and other operating expenses. Again a big thank you to Bill Surry and the Drag Race Association for once again trusting that Alberni Wrestling would do a good job for them and giving us this opportunity. Congratulations on another successful event. We look forward to being involved in next year’s 10th anniversary event.
