Pats Ready to Hit Brandt Centre Ice
Regina, Sask. – Today the Regina Pats Hockey Club hosted a media event to mark the opening of the 2021-22 WHL season. Following an unconventional past season, the anticipation to welcome the Pats regiment back to the Brandt Centre was unmistakable.
“The Pats have overcome many challenges in their 104 year history, and the pandemic is no different. Thanks to the support of the community and our committed owners, today we have a solid foundation to stand on,”said Pats Chief Operating Officer, Trevor Buhnai. “We’re calling on the community to stand beside us as we march on to our next chapter, and we plan to do the same for them.”
Team Owner and Brandt Group of Companies CEO, Shaun Semple later announced two new Pats and Brandt supported community initiatives for the upcoming season. The first is to add a fundraising component to every We Care Weekday Game to benefit local Regina-based charitable and non-profit organizations, many who have faced pandemic-related service and demand increases. The Brandt Group of Companies is committing $220,000 in matching funds triggered by sponsor and fan contributions raised at each weekday game through Brandt’s Thanks a Billion program. “Regina is a generous community, by working together with team sponsors and fans, we can all give back in a big way when it is needed most,” said Semple. Interested local organizations and sponsors can reach out to the Pats business team for more details.
Brandt and the Pats will also be recognizing hometown frontline pandemic heroes at Gratitude Games by sending 3,000 dedicated individuals who have kept Regina citizens fed, cared for and serviced to Pats games. “We know that the return of the Pats and their fans to the Brandt Centre is only possible because of the hard work of frontline workers over the past 18 months. That crucial task continues today, and we couldn’t be more grateful,” Semple added. Tickets will be distributed through partner organizations over home games in October and November.
The team also reminded the public that starting October 2nd, games at the Brandt Centre will require proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test for those 12 and up, and a mask in accordance with the recent public health measures. “We are working closely with Regina Exhibition Association Limited to ensure our fans have clear direction on requirements and logistics for game attendance, starting with the home opener. The priority is to keep our fans safe and healthy as we welcome them back home,” Buhnai said.
Assistant General Manager and Head Coach, Dave Struch told the media that fan support will be a welcome addition following a fan-less Brandt Centre for the 2020-21 season, “We’ve built a talented team that will keep fans entertained with some of the best hockey in the country. They represent Regina with pride and will be champions for this community. Hockey brings us together as a community and that’s what the season ahead is all about.”
The Pats have a home-and-home with the Moose Jaw Warriors this weekend to wrap up the pre-season and then open the regular season on Saturday, October 2, in a CBC-televised match-up with the Prince Albert Raiders. Season and single-game tickets – now completely digital – are available by visiting reginapats.com.
