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Lakers Hockey tickets hit the market

The Lakers hockey coaching staff poses for a photo with the Gravelle brothers who were the first to purchase Nipissing Lakers Hockey season tickets. (L to R) Mark Kosturik, Ron Gravelle, Mike McParland, Glen Gravelle and Darren Turcotte.


The Lakers hockey coaching staff poses for a photo with the Gravelle brothers who were the first to purchase Nipissing Lakers Hockey season tickets. (L to R) Mark Kosturik, Ron Gravelle, Mike McParland, Glen Gravelle and Darren Turcotte. Photo by Chris Dawson.

The box office is open and Nipissing Lakers season tickets are now available.

Nipissing University’s Men’s OUA hockey team launched season tickets sales for their inaugural season on Wednesday at Memorial Gardens and local business owners Ron and Glen Gravelle were first in line to purchase their seats.

“We’re thrilled to be the first season ticket holders for the Lakers team. University hockey is an excellent brand of hockey, with lots of skill and excitement, and some amazing athletes. North Bay is going to love it,” said Ron Gravelle, who is a co-owner of indoor hockey training facility Elitehockey.net.

Ticket prices are as follows: For season tickets, the cost is $176 for adults, $120 for students and seniors, and $88 for children 12 and under (GST included). That includes all exhibition and regular season games. The first 500 season tickets holders will receive a special opening night replica jersey provided by Promo Sports Depot, worth $79.95.

Lakers hockey officials are hoping the jersey deal will create some spirit for Lakers hockey at the University and in the city.

"I think we realize North Bay wants quality and I think that's what we are bringing," said Lakers business partner Al McDonald.

"We wanted to provide affordable entertainment for families and students so we want to base everything on accessibility so the whole community can participate in what we are trying to do and that's why we came up with those prices."

Game tickets will cost $11 for adults, $7.50 for students and seniors, and $5.50 for children 12 and under (GST included).

That game ticket price is one dollar less than the cost for a Skyhawks ticket at Memorial Gardens for the NOJHL finals.

Season tickets can be purchased at the Memorial Garden’s box office at 100 Chippewa Street.

Assembling the team

While the tickets sales begin on Wednesday, head coach Mike McParland says he's been working overtime to bring in high calibre players for the Lakers inaugural season.

He says the job is a challenge as some high profile players turned down an offer from Nip. U at the last minute.

"It hurts and you almost take it a bit personally but I know you can't but I guess that's part of the learning experience for our program," admitted McParland.

McParland notes that the Lakers Hockey on-line registration is close to 50 players and his scouting staff has sent information to at least 350 other players from across Canada.

Only a handful of players have committed to the program so far including 23-year-old left winger Brodie Beard who played 3 seasons of Major Junior with the Ottawa 67's, along with 21-year-old OJHL goalie Kyle Cantlon who just finished off his junior career with the Couchiching Terriers posting a 22-3-2 record with a .912 save percentage in the regular season.

McParland says they also are about ink a defenceman with the OHL's Oshawa Generals.






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Chris Dawson

About the Author: Chris Dawson

Chris Dawson has been with BayToday.ca since 2004. He has provided up-to-the-minute sports coverage and has become a key member of the BayToday news team.
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