Smooth sailing for Strait Pirates

PORT HAWKESBURY - It continues to be smooth sailing — both on and off the ice — for the Strait Pirates of the Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League (NSJHL).

“We are very pleased with how things are going,” Adam Rodgers, president of the Pirate organization, said.

Almost two years ago, the second oldest-junior ‘B’ franchise in Canada announced the start of a facelift, of sorts, which included the adoption of a communityownership model that offered fans an opportunity to buy team memberships.

As part of that purchase, the new owners — 60 of them since the launch — received season tickets for home games at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre (PHCC), along with an opportunity to vote on decisions, such as the selection of the club’s board of directors.

A small group of longtime diehard Pirate volunteers, along with some community members from the region, initiated the restructuring process, one that continues.

“I would say that we are ahead of schedule,” Rodgers said, when asked about the ‘revamping’ initiative.

He reflected on that process during the intermission of a recent match-up between the Pirates and Antigonish Farmers’ Mutual Bulldogs at the Antigonish Arena.

“Obviously, we are having a great season on the ice and a lot of that comes from having a strong organizational foundation and having people in the right places to do smart things,” Rodgers said.

He credited the Pirates’ management team, along with a “great group of volunteers,” for contributing to those successes.

“We are very pleased with how things are going,” Rodgers said.

He agreed fan support and participation continues to build, noting the organization has noticed growth in social media participation.

“We have also noticed, just with people coming to the games; our attendance has been great,” Rodgers said, noting a growing 50-50 draw each week.

He described such indicators as “signs of there being more of a community connection to the team.”

“Our sponsorships are also strong, so we are feeling very good about the way in which the community is embracing this team,” Rodgers said.

When it comes to finances, he noted, the organization is also doing well.

“We are on track to be on budget this year, as we were last year as well,” Rodgers said.

“We would always like to be spending more money to do things, but we feel good about where we are.”

He noted the Pirates will have new sweaters by the time the playoffs roll around.

“That type of thing comes from community support – support from businesses and the fans – so that is very satisfying, for us, as an organization,” Rodgers said.

He noted the organization will soon start recruiting new board members.

“That was part of the plan, too, not to have a stagnant board, but rather to revitalize that every year,” Rodgers explained.

“I think that is important for any organization.”

Known more in the region for his connection to fast pitch, a smile crossed Rodgers’ face, when asked about his experience as president for a hockey organization.

“I love this. I have never been that involved in a hockey team before – on an organizational side,” he said.

“I have a lot of fun being involved with the fans and the community, and this team is great to watch, so it has been a lot of fun.”