Months after its longtime sponsorship agreement was terminated, The Oceanside Generals Junior Hockey Club Society is back in the money.
The Generals announced Thursday they have signed a one-year sponsorship agreement with Quality Foods for the 2016-17 Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League season.
The announcement comes as the team prepares to open its fall camp beginning this weekend at Oceanside Place Arena in Parksville.
“All of us at Quality Foods are thrilled with this new opportunity to team up with the Oceanside Generals as the team’s title sponsor,” said Ken Schley, Quality Foods director of operations. “We look forward to playing a significant role in the development of these young people as they learn new skills that will help them on their way to becoming the best versions of themselves both on and off the ice.”
Quality Foods is recognized for its commitment to community involvement and the partnership will advance the goals the club has set out in its mission statement, Generals Director Peter Creighton said.
“Our goal as a not-for-profit society is to work with partners that understand the importance of good community stewardship,” said Creighton. “We are very pleased that Quality Foods shares this goal and has committed to support the team. We are also excited for the opportunity to have our players support Quality Foods community events in and around Oceanside this season.”
The club announced at the end of the 2015-16 season this spring that it would no longer receive the $20,000 annual contribution from longtime title sponsor Save-On-Foods.
The Generals have secured gaming grant funding for the next two seasons, team president Beverly Yelland said.
The Quality Foods Oceanside Generals open their fall camp this Friday, with scrimmages scheduled Saturday at 9 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. The Top-30 game will be played following Sunday’s final evaluations, at 2 p.m.
The squad will be unveiled to the public in a home exhibition game at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, against the Comox Valley Glacier Kings.
The Generals’ 2016/17 home opener is Saturday, Sept. 10, at 7:30 p.m. at Oceanside Place. Show your Q Card that evening for one Free Admission to the Game.
— News Staff and Oceanside Generals submission