The Western Hockey League announced today that the Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club has been named the recipient of the Eastern Conference WHL Business Award and the Everett Silvertips Hockey Club has been named the recipient of the Western Conference WHL Business Award.
The WHL Business Award will be presented at the 2019 WHL Awards on Wednesday, May 1, in Red Deer, Alta.
Eastern Conference – Lethbridge Hurricanes
Enjoyed extensive growth in all major business categories in 2018-19, the Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club is the Eastern Conference recipient of the WHL Business Award.
The Hurricanes continue to dominate the local sports scene, being the premiere sports and entertainment experience in southern Alberta. The implementation of a large 40-foot by 10-foot video board, affectionately dubbed “Megatron,” has helped to enhance a number of different game-night areas for the Hurricanes. Fan engagement, corporate sponsorship, promotions, 50/50 execution and other aspects of the Hurricanes game night have all seen tremendous boosts from the addition of “Megatron.” As a result of its early success, “Megatron” has become a large part of the Hurricanes game night experience and revenue model.
In its third year, the Hurricanes Game Day Santa Fe program has succeeded in improving interest and awareness of the Hurricanes and the WHL in Lethbridge. Executed entirely on game days, the Hurricanes-branded vehicle tours Lethbridge with mascot “Cane” and the Hurricanes street team. Stopping at schools to play games and making other appearances at public events around Lethbridge, local children and families enjoy the opportunity to interact with “Cane” and the Hurricanes street team.
In 2018-19, the Hurricanes have helped to contribute $181,000 towards local fundraisers and charitable organizations, furthering strengthening the Club’s stance in the community.
Western Conference – Everett Silvertips
Enjoying notable growth in all major business categories in 2018-19, the Everett Silvertips Hockey Club is the Western Conference recipient of the WHL Business Award.
Strong communication and engagement has helped to spark further interest in the Silvertips and the WHL in the Everett area. With a robust data collection program, email has become an effective means of communication for the Silvertips to engage with fans and share news such as statistics, ticket promotions, and more.
The Club takes pride in being an innovator when it comes to game-night promotions and community involvement. Silvertips players visited 32 local schools to speak on anti-bullying, health and fitness, and the importance of staying in school. Players also made two trips to the Providence Regional Medical Centre – one to visit cancer patients and providers ahead of the Club’s “Pink the Rink Night,” and a second visit to deliver teddy bears to the Pavilion for Women & Children after the Silvertips successful teddy bear toss night.
In 2018-19, the Silvertips have helped to contribute nearly $130,000 towards local fundraisers and charitable organizations, including $ the Snohomish County Law Enforcement Memorial Fund and the Medic One Foundation. In particular, the Silvertips’ “Pink the Rink Night” raised $94,000 to help fund free mammograms and cancer care for women in Snohomish County.
