The Weyburn Red Wings are reporting a net loss of $50,798 from last season, after facing increases for ice rental fees and transportation, in addition to playing in only one round in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) playoffs.Only one rounds of playoffs, combined with a $5,000 increase in our ice rental bill and a $11,000 increase in our bus bill were some of the contributing factors to the loss, said executive president, Ryan Williams. Expenses were up considerably this year, with some of our fundraisers down.We are hard at work to rectify this situation and ensure a return to the black after next season, said Williams. He added that the Red Wings will be revamping their Fly With the Wings lotto and cabaret, two of the fundraisers that suffered financially in the previous year.Total gross profit reported was $442,285 with an increase of profits in season ticket sales, and revenue from special events such as the Hall of Fame dinner and world junior pre-competition game. The total operating expenses reported was $493,084 with total travel expenses reaching $77,767 and ice rental expenses at $21,391.Success for the Red Wings in the previous season included a growth to the season ticket basis, claiming the highest attendance per game in the league, adding new features to the games like a light show, and of course earning two banners as the top team in the Sherwood conference and the league.In reporting other factors of the hockey club organization, general manager Ron Rumball said, We were once again the number one league team, after all was said and done in the regular season, in addition to winning our south division. In fact, we won first place overall with 84 points, or at a 72 per cent efficiency level.We had the fewest goals against our team in the league, but wish we could have had the most goals as it might have made a difference in the playoff structure, explained Rumball.In open floor discussions, coaches and board members addressed the fact that the Red Wings were unable to make it past the first round of the playoffs. Assistant coach Darcy Pindus noted that one of the contributing factors was the fact that the Wings had lost top players prior to and during the playoff round due to injuries.
Another significant aspect was that we started a whole nine days after our last league game, added Rumball. There were several members of the public who commented on dissatisfaction with the playoff structure with the survivor series that caused the delay.Ken Ferguson, who recently attended the SJHL annual meeting, noted that a motion had been put forward that only four teams would make the playoffs, and that the season would be extended slightly. While the motion was defeated, there was enough interest that it will be addressed again at the semi-annual general meeting. There is a chance that the playoff format could be changed for the following season, said Ferguson.In preparing for their 50th year as a hockey organization, the Red Wings reported that they have already sold over 400 earlybird season tickets. It was noted that a key factor to this increase in sales is the fact that the Wings will be hosting the SJHL Showcase in December, and season ticket holders will have access to three days of hockey.Scouting for potential players and signing of players has already been taking place for the Red Wings. Rumball noted that their biggest challenge for the upcoming season will be We know that we have to upgrade our scoring, and replace two excellent goaltenders.The 50th anniversary of the Red Wings as a hockey club will be a year-round celebration, with things kicking off in September when the 50th team in the clubs history takes to the ice. I think the Weyburn Red Wings are one of the most storied hockey clubs in all of Canada, said Williams. We will have some announcements in the very near future regarding some events and I think the public will be happy with what we have come up with.The Wings training camp will open on Sept. 3, with the first official game of the season on the road on Sept. 18. With renovations taking place at both the Tom Zandee Sports Arena and Crescent Point Place, the Wings will host their home opener a little later in the season, on Oct. 7.
