ELORA – With the first Elora Rocks home game in well over a year set for Friday, the new team president said the hockey isn’t going to be the only draw.
It’s also their first home game under the new Western Ontario Super Hockey League (WOSHL) and new management of president Rich Wigmore and general manager Mitch Scott.
Wigmore said in a phone interview that Friday’s game against Stratford Fighting Irish should easily bring in a few hundred fans, especially with capacity limits having been lifted at events requiring proof of vaccination.
Beyond the local talent on the ice, Wigmore said the event will be licensed with food and live music at their booster club and a small after party with a DJ.
“We’re really trying to make our home games more of an event around the hockey as opposed to the only focus being the hockey,” Wigmore said.
“People have been dying for something to bring people together again since COVID. Not that we’re quite out of COVID yet and the pandemic but I feel like this is a huge step in opening up capacity, bringing people and businesses together to have a common interest of enjoying a beer and a hockey game together.”
Part of this direction is coming from being a part of the new league. Wigmore explained the WOSHL is encouraging teams to turn games into events and to partner with local charities and community groups.
Wigmore also sees this local focus in the team which he said is more than half local players who already appear to have camaraderie with each other.
“Sometimes it takes a season or two to gel with a group of guys, but these guys have all played together, they’ve won championships or played against each other and now they’re all playing together again,” Wigmore said, adding the team
While the team recently entered into an agreement with the township to pay back owed fees, Wigmore was not focused on that and highlighted the significance the longstanding organization has had in the region.
“There’s so much history in this team, it’s a century-old, and we’ll call them local legends in town who have played for them,” Wigmore said.
“I feel like there’s so much history that it would be such a shame and a waste if someone wasn’t able to continue on this legacy that the community has grown.”
The home opener starts on Friday at 8:30 p.m. at the Elora Community Centre. Tickets are available at the door and proof of full vaccination is required.
