The Alberni Valley Bulldogs may very well be the first team in hockey history to invite their fans, season ticket holders, minor hockey players, volunteers, billets, sponsors, and supporters to be in the team’s annual team photo.
This year’s team photo will be taken following the game this Sunday, Feb. 14 on Fan Appreciation Day, when the Alberni Valley Bulldogs host the Merritt Centennials at 2 p.m.
Tickets to the game are offered at a Fan Appreciation price of only $5.
Upon the conclusion of the game, the Zambonis will clean th ice and then the team will come back out to stage this year’s team photo.
“As far as we can tell, we are the first hockey team in history to invite our fans and supporters to be a part of the annual team photo,” said Bulldogs assistant coach and GM Adam Hayduk.
“After all, the Bulldogs are a true community-owned team with thousands of phenomenal supporters. This is just another great way to acknowledge everyone’s support and allow another way for our fans to be a closer part of our team,” added Hayduk.
During the game, fans will be able to reserve a copy of the team photo by making a donation to the Port Alberni Junior Hockey Society. A team of volunteers from Scotiabank will be on hand, wearing their Scotiabank red, collecting donations before, during, and after the game.
Furthermore, Scotiabank has confirmed that they will match all donations collected at the game this Sunday in support of the community-owned Alberni Valley Bulldogs of up to $5,000, Hayduk said.
Instead of having empty blue seats behind the players in the photo, the organization wants to fill the seats with the team’s supporters. Following the team photo, the Bulldogs players will stay on the ice and invite the public to a “Skate With The Bulldogs” to wind up Fan Appreciation Day.
The Bulldogs are anticipating a big turnout for this event, marking the first time fans, season ticket holders and various supporters are a part of a team’s annual hockey photo.