HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2014-10-01, Page 9Wednesday, October 1, 2014 • Huron Expositor 9
Opening night coming for Huron East Centenaires
It has been many years
since the Seaforth Cente-
naires have stepped onto
the ice, but this Saturday
the Centenaires, in their
40th anniversary year of the
team's namesake will take
the ice against the Milver-
ton Drives in the season
opener for the SR AA men's
hockey season.
"We are very excited," said
team representative Bill
Tremeer.
Tremeer, native of Sea -
forth and former Centenar-
ies player, has played a large
roll in spearheading the
effort to transfer the team
from Goderich to Seaforth,
as well as re-establish the
Centenaire's name. "We
have some great players
ready to play and build this
with us," he said. "The
coaches and players have
their plan and we're just
working hard right now to
create a fun atmosphere for
people to enjoy a night out."
Most people who follow
senior hockey understand
the team will have to work
hard to earn wins in the
competitive division, but
the team's leadership
believes they have a good
base and plan.
"We started this off think-
ing about what it was we
used to love about going to
the arena on Saturday nights
for Centenaires games in
town," explained Tremeer.
"It was as much about get-
ting out, for an inexpensive
night in town as it was for
kids playing boot hockey
and dads visiting up a the
blue line club. It was a meet-
ing place, something to do as
much as it was about
hockey. Don't misunder-
stand me, we want to be suc-
cessful on the ice, but we
also want to work on this
being a place for the com-
munity to come together for
a good night out:'
The team has worked on
putting together packages
for sponsors and fans to
support the team. "There
are some great sponsor-
ship packages that offer
value to those businesses
who are getting behind
the Centenaires," said
Brett Lee, team board
member. "We need busi-
nesses to get behind us for
sure, every junior hockey
team and every team in
this league needs support
to be stable. We're going
to work on that all year,
but people in the commu-
nity can get involved too."
The theme of the Cente-
naires being a community
event is in the forefront in
all the team is working on.
"We really want to bring in
everyone in the commu-
nity," explained Lee. "We
want to do a 50/50 with
community partners at the
season opener and all kids
wearing C4th hockey jer-
sey will be welcomed in
for free. The Blue Line
Club will have some old
memorabilia and NHL
games on TV to give it a
good feel."
The team is also looking
at hosting Ladies Gala
Night in conjunction with
a game in January, with
wings and a game night,
as well as other promo-
tions to celebrate the
team, as well as past Cents
teams which were such a
big part of the community
for years.
The scrappy team is left
to Seaforth native Tim
McNaughton as manager,
and head coach Scott Hen-
derson. Henderson, a for-
mer player, has assumed
head coach position with
the team. "This is my first
time behind the bench, and
it's exciting," he said. "I can
say, as a team we're going
to work hard, we're going to
be a team that works hard,
especially in our own
arena. I'm sure I'll learn a
lot, but I do remember
playing in town here, com-
ing to the arena as a young
kid and watching the Cents.
This is a good thing for kids
playing hockey here in
town, for the community
and for Seaforth."
Henderson went on to
explain the team has been
hosting tryouts at the Sea -
forth arena, and many are
surprised at the talent and
distance players are willing
to travel for a tryout. "The
team has had upwards of 40
players out to practices and
Whitney South, Huron Expositor
Members of the Huron East Centenaires get down to business during a practice at the Seaforth Arena. The team is getting set to
take the ice Oct. 4 for their home opener against the Milverton Drives.
players from as far away as
London, Brantford and
even one player living in
Ontario from Lativia."
General Manager
McNaughton echoed his
coaches thoughts, "I know
we want to make this a
good place to play, and
instil in the players to work
hard. We haven't stepped
on the ice yet, but the com-
ments we're getting around
town are very good. People
see this as a good thing for
the town, and for the arena.
If we can sell some season
passes and get the town
behind us, have some good
games we have a good
future here."
The team opens the doors
and the Blue Line Club this
Saturday at 6:30pm, game
time is 7:30pm. Tickets can
be purchased at the door or
in advance at Pete's Paper
Clip.
"We want this to be good
for the town, and like we
said, we really need people
to support it," said
McNaughton. "If we could
surpass our season ticket
goals, especially this week
oa aolisosxauoan In ea.,
leading up to the opener,
that would be huge thing for
us. In truth, I think it will be a
great thing for this town. This
is a positive move for our
community and our arena
and you know what? It's
going to be a lot of fun too:'
W� nC`�7 iG10O Uo W DU®�
C,ojiservati_on =Area
Free Admission - Apple Cider
G�uidedWalk - Wagon Rides
NEW! •Display of Local Reptiles
38854 Nature Centre Rd., North Huron
[w]•wwwmvca.on.ca [t] 519-335-3557
Maitland Valley,Conservation Authority