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pontcanna
09-20-2011, 08:27 PM
The latest promo :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v373/zymurgy1/RoyalsPlane.jpg

pontcanna
09-21-2011, 12:27 AM
Victoria Royals support takes flight

BY DARRON KLOSTER, TIMESCOLONIST.COM SEPTEMBER 20, 2011 9:02 PM

The Victoria Royals still haven’t played a regular season game, but the Western Hockey League team is already flying high on fan response and an eager corporate community willing to back them.

In dramatic fashion Tuesday afternoon, a Harbour Air seaplane painted in Royals logo and colours deftly touched down in Victoria Harbour, unloading a dozen smiling players in freshly unwrapped uniforms.

Moments earlier, Royals president Dave Dakers announced the team’s home opener Saturday night against the Vancouver Giants at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre was a sellout with nearly 7,000 tickets sold.

Add that to nearly twice the number of sponsors compared to the Salmon Kings last year and a season ticket base that’s swelled to more than 3,000, and it’s little wonder Dakers, head coach Marc Habscheid and the players were feeling a little elevated.

“We’re spreading the rumour we own this plane,” Dakers chided at a media gathering on the waterfront.

The Otter aircraft won’t be used for team transportation — a new custom bus is currently being manufactured in Huntsville, Alabama and expected to be delivered in the next month. The plane will serve as a flying billboard to fuel the rivalry with Vancouver’s WHL team and there will be special discounts for Royals fans who want to attend games in the Lower Mainland.

Harbour Air senior vice-president Randy Wright said the company’s support for the Royals was a no-brainer. The Victoria native grew up watching the Cougars, “mooching” tickets from his godfather and former Times Colonist sportswriter Ernie Fedoruk to “watch the Cougars fight the New Westminster Bruins.”

“With the new Mainland rivalries, it was a natural fit for us to provide the opportunity for fans to make the trip quick with Harbour Air. We wish the Royals great success and hope that one day they bring a Memorial Cup to Victoria,” said Wright.

He said it’s only the second time in Harbour Air’s 30-year history that the airline has branded one of its planes — the first was five years ago for Carbon Offsetters when Harbour Air went carbon neutral.

The Cougars left Victoria in 1994 when owner Rock Brodsky moved the team to Prince George. The B.C. Hockey League moved in under various owners and the professional ECHL followed with a seven-year run at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.

But from a business perspective, Dakers said major junior hockey is an easier sell to the local business community. Combined with six league sponsors, the Royals have nearly 40 corporate backers ranging from local breweries to notaries. Dakers estimated that was 30 to 50 per cent better than the Salmon Kings.

Dakers also noted the “solid support” from the business community despite economic uncertainty.

Season tickets are selling well, with 3,000 sold to date, a “significant increase” compared to last year, said Dakers. He also said there are only six of 26 suites open, ranging in price from $45,000 to $60,000 per season.

Dakers said businesses can relate to major junior hockey, where players have hopes of making it to the NHL. Many business owners played hockey and so do their kids, “and everyone who’s ever played has at one time had that burnishing hope” of making it, he said.

50sWHLer
09-21-2011, 08:39 AM
Hey, maybe we can fly over for a Giants/Royals game !!

Anybody know what the Special Discount Royal passenger ticket package costs???

pontcanna
09-21-2011, 08:58 AM
I think it's only a straight 15% off regular fares (not specials) with proof of attendance (game ticket). The lowest webfares are $110 plus fees each way. Plus an overnight in Vancouver of course - bring lotsa money :)

http://www.harbour-air.com/news_detail.php?news=royals_fans_special_fare