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wsrenuxrcnnomcu-Wadnaaay. ruiyzi. zmo-zr Faces of the franchise O O ’ O O C O . stkms administration wants to reconnect with the Waterloo community By Boa VIMNM . Chronicle Stafl‘ w.» R he Siskins 75th anniversary season last I year was a success on many levels. the ' . most important being reconnecting the community and alumni with the legacy . of the most storied Junior B franchise of the last century But what about this century? That was the question new Siskins president Tim Fedy and “re-president of marketing Mike Blake asked themselves this offseason. The product on the ice is as good as ever after a second place finish in league play. 4, > _ : highlighted by a l7â€"game win streak mid- is; v “ 1“; season. A second round playoff series loss to “’ 4 7 longtime rivals the Stratford Cullitons not 7 ' withstanding, the Siskins seem destined to ._ . recapture the team's lost glory when the last won the Sutherland cup in the early 1990s . .. Now Fedy and Blake want to translate My. some of that momentum off the ice to restore the team to its place as one of the 3 35, things that is synonymous with Waterloo. __‘ - ' , , Fedy and Blake might just be the duo to . 7. , § iififi- "» . - do so, No one bleeds Siskin black and gold , _ . g -- , “a. 13, vi .- at â€"â€" a ' more than Fedy. a local lawyer who was cap~ _, - 35“? ‘ _ fl. is? . val-hf?" “(Q ‘ “I. ;_ . '. " if; “cf _ - {if tain of the 1982 team that won a Sutherland , “ ‘ a“; “; A; t" ‘ ‘ ‘ _ . c ,, . ' . {if}. if y; {jg-EN : if; . 3g? £55“ Cup. He has been a behind-the-scenes play- . "jig __ gag.“ - L 315 fix“ . $9 '_ ~ ‘ _ z 333... “flyi- "- $415ng . . "__ ‘ E" “fast a, er in revitalizing the franchise the last few in); .‘ x “if, ' ’ 7 $121.13 79-34? $55,315 ‘ ’ ‘ ' , in f L“; “5+; , . , “if“; at" ‘ "’ ‘.‘"‘~ years, and has decided to take more ofa ' g 4 4 ' ' . _ . " ‘ "A ' "' ' L ‘ ' ' _ " " prominent role as a face of the franchise. Siskms president Tim Fedy and Vice-president of marketing Mike Blake are hoping to strengthen the club‘s community connections. “A lot of it comes down to the pride of mwwmm Waterloo.” said Fedy. who was born and NHL career with the 10s Angela: Kings. with the Siskins 75th reunion and anniver- the fan base by introducing new flex-pack raised in the city and has deep roots in the Blake’s claim to fame was being the goalie saryseason last year. ticket packages this year, while improving local sporting community. “i remember my between the pipes when Wayne Gretzky Blake, who's uncle was the famous the at-the-game experience with promo- dad saying that he had that pride playing scored his 92 goals to set the NHL record for Howard “Toe" Blake, said the importance of tions and giveaways. ‘ minor baseball for Waterloo. single season goal scoring. He even kept the tradition was imparted to him by the Cana- They also hope to continue the work they “Then it kind of transferred to me when I puck and the game sheet and was pan of a (lien Montreal hockey legend. and passing did in reconnecting with the alumni. They'll played minor hockey and on to the Siskins ceremony at the Hockey Hall of Fame corp- the torch is what they’re trying to do with the be holding decade alumni games through- lt was always about being from Waterloo memorating that moment a fewyears ago. Siskins out the year. and also hoping they can help and not K-W." He shared memories about it with “The Their model for success is simple. Hire solidify the financial legacy of the franchise Winning a championship with the Siskins Great One” at Gretzky’s annual celebrity golf good hockey people. which they’ve done through a couple of different opportunities reinforced that pride of place for Fedy. Win- tournament a couple of weeks ago with new GM Regan Stocco while convinc- including sponsorship packages. ning the Sutherland Cup in his hometown "l was up in Collingwood talking to him ing the name synonymous with the Sir-kins. Blake said the Siskins are a not-for-profit cemented that feeling. about it. and he said the same thing. he Peter Brill, to stay around forayearas a sen- community team. and both sides need to “That pride is still here for a lot of peo- doesn‘t know if that record will ever be bro- ior hockey advisor. reach out to continue that. pie." he said. “We just have to peel back the ken," said Blake. The coaching staff headed by Dean "We need to help to keep this fantastic onion to expose it more. and maybe shine it "Now you look at it, 50 to 55 goals are the DeSilva, which has been a big part of the franchise of 75 years strong" he said. “we're up a bit. It's a great city overall and certainly most goals they score in a year." success over the past two years, has been just hoping for more of a buy-in from the we have a wonderful legacy and tradition as After retirement Blake returned to this retained and the club has a good core of alumni and the community because we a sports community. especially in hockey" community working in marketing with a returning players think it is the No. 1 premiere sports team in Mike Blake's time with the Siskins in the number of local radio stations before mov- Blake said we'll see more of those players Waterloo." mid-705 was a little shorter but he said it was ing on to the FAN 590 in Toronto. out in the community connecting with If any alumni, business group, fans or an important stepping-stone to earning it He's currently helping his brother Don at minor hockey players volunteers would like to help they can e- scholarship to Ohio State and launching his Don’s Produce and was heavily involved He also said they are looking to increase mail him at mikeblakeOwaterioosiskinsca. \ ,) t t V x ) Inventory (,lc ant nc c Eve nt .. 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