The Belleville Senators chief operating officer Rob Mullowney speaks to Quinte West council on Monday July 17, 2017. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber/Quinte News)
The Belleville Senators want to further develop its fan base throughout the Quinte region.
Monday night, Belleville Sens chief operating officer Rob Mullowney told Quinte West council that the success of the new American Hockey League franchise will rely on the entire Bay of Quinte region getting behind it.
He said 85 percent of season ticket holders are from the Quinte area and they have some from the Cobourg and Kingston areas too.
Mullowney echoed owner Eugene Melnyk sentiments from when the deal came to life last year that the Belleville Senators will be a team that supports the community.
He said the club will eventually develop a foundation that will support Quinte area programs that matter to the area. He pointed to how last year, the AHL collectively donated $15 million to charities adding it could help reading and anti-bullying campaigns.
He also spoke to how he knows all too well what it feels like to lose a hometown hockey team. A native of St. John’s Newfoundland, Mullowney said he felt similar sadness when the Toronto Maple Leafs’ farm club left after 14 years. “I’ve lived that experience from both a livelihood and from a community,” admitted Mullowney. “It’s a tough pill to swallow.”
He informed council that 88 percent of today’s NHL players are AHL grads. He said the schedule just released last week treats Belleville fans to 12 home games that will see the Sens go head to head with rival teams the Toronto Marlies and Laval Rocket.
The branding will be unveiled in this month with jerseys to be revealed in August. Season tickets will be delivered in September before the AHL season begins in October. The Belleville Sens play their first home game November 1. For more information on the Belleville Senators visit http://www.bellevillesens.com/
The City of Belleville announces Belleville Senators are the friendly city’s new AHL team in September 2016. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
