P.E.I. junior hockey teams struggle with financial losses, positive COVID tests
CBC
The Charlottetown Islanders and Summerside Western Capitals will welcome fans back to their rinks for the first time in more than two months, and both teams hope it will help turn around their financial fortunes after some tough times because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Islanders will play Victoriaville Friday night at Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown, while the Western Caps host their first home games in 2022 on Sunday and on Islander Day, at Credit Union Place in Summerside.
Both Island teams are currently leading their respective leagues — the Western Capitals with the Maritime Junior Hockey League and the Islanders in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League — but not without overcoming some challenges so far this season.
For the Western Capitals, that includes 13 players who have tested positive for COVID-19 since December.
"It's a little bit demoralizing. It keeps us off the ice. We were playing some good hockey and we were in great shape," said general manager Pat McIver.
"It's a bit of a setback, but I'm sure we'll get the work boots on and get back to where we were."
McIver said everyone on the team was considered a close contact, so they had to take a week off. They returned to the ice on Wednesday, but still have a reduced lineup.
He said the team is looking forward to this weekend's home games.
"It's so exciting. Before Christmas, we were drawing very well, we were up over a thousand people a night and things were going well," McIver said.
"There's a lot of buzz about Sunday, and Monday being Islander Day, so we're looking forward to those games. I think there are going to be some nice crowds around."
McIver said having fans in the building is also important for the team's bottom line.
"We're a gate-driven team. We rely on our fans and our sponsors and without them, it's next to impossible to survive," McIver said.
"I think people are finally ready to commit to coming back to the rink. But we'll see here on Sunday and Monday."
McIver said the team has struggled through the pandemic.
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