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OUR OPINION
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Support our Rebels
11/12/08
Win or lose, it’s time to support the Red Deer Rebels.
They are, after all, our home team, young men who have come up through the ranks to play in the Western Hockey League.
For many of them, it’s a dream come true and a huge stepping stone to even greater and bigger things.
Last year wasn’t a good year for the Rebels, who finished second last in the league behind the Portland Winter Hawks.
It was disappointing for everyone – the coaches, the players and, of course, the fans. And it is true many season ticket holders opted to stay home, especially when they knew the Rebels were out of the playoffs.
But, it’s a new day, a new year and a new season.
And they are coming back. True, they haven’t come back as huge winners, but they are holding their own with seven wins, 12 loses and five shoot out losses in 24 games.
That being said, a Red Deer Rebels official says the organization is happy with the fan support they have received so far this year.
There are, of course, empty seats at the Centrium, held, no doubt by vacant season ticket holders.
But, in defence of the fans, sometimes, the reality of life gets in the way of taking the time out to watch a hockey game, no matter who the team is.
Being from a rural community means that, as much as hockey is our most popular sport, making a living has to take precedence.
Harvest is a busy time, and now that it is out of the way, no doubt, the ticket holders from our farming community will have more time to actually put themselves in the seats that they have paid for.
Minor hockey also keeps young families busy and tryouts and game times often conflict with Rebels games.
Rebels officials say 91% of last year’s season ticket holders bought season tickets again this year.
That is a clear indication the fans haven’t given up on the Rebels, even if they aren’t at every game.
What does that tell you?
And as any true, blue fan knows, hockey is a cyclical sport.
You win some, you lose some, but the bottom line is, you never, ever give up, whether you are a coach, a player or a fan.
The Rebels were a very successful team in the early 2000s winning three consecutive division and conference titles between 2000-01 and 2002-03. This period began with a WHL and Memorial Cup championship in 2001 when Doug Lynch scored the overtime winner against the Val-d’Or Foreurs.
In the 2006/2007 season, the Rebels made the playoffs, only to lose in seven games in the first round to Medicine Hat, who went on to win the league.
The Rebels play Friday at the ENMAX Centrium against Edmonton Oil Kings.
It’s a home game for the Rebels.
And they need their fans. Go! Support them! They are, after all, our very own Rebels!
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR INVITED |
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Letters to the editor are welcomed by the Red Deer Express, especially new contributors. We attempt
to publish a cross-section of public opinion. Preference is given to short letters of broad interest or concern.
Letters addressed to others are seldom used. We reserve the right to edit for length, taste, clarity and to
eliminate inaccurate or libelous statements. |
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