Anticipation builds for Regina Pats ahead of season opener
The anticipation for the 2021-22 WHL season is high in Regina.
Just over a week ahead of the season opener, the Regina Pats’ brass held a press conference to express their excitement for the coming season.
“We’re back to a real situation here so I think there’s a lot of anticipation for us,” said Pats’ general manager John Paddock.
In 2020, Regina’s Brandt Centre played host to the WHL’s East Division hub. The Pats finished sixth in the division with a 9-12-2-1 record.
However, the club showed promise with rookie Connor Bedard notching 28 points in 15 games to lead the division before leaving early to represent Team Canada on the Under-18 squad.
“We can feel something coming and I think it’s certainly the same with what we saw last year from Connor and the group,” Paddock said.
Since finishing second at the Memorial Cup in 2018, which Regina hosted, the Pats have failed to make the playoffs.
“We’ve had to maintain a level of work ethic and culture and energy through a difficult three years after the Memorial Cup,” said head coach Dave Struch.
Across the country, Canadian Hockey League teams are struggling financially. In March, the Semple family and the Brandt group of companies became the exclusive owners of the Pats. They maintain they’re committed to the team.
“It’s a hard business at the best of times,” owner Shaun Semple said. “With no fans and no revenue. It’s been a challenge, but we’re willing to obviously keep investing.”
Ticket prices rose an average of four dollars per seat this season, according to Semple. It wasn’t clear if that trend will continue.
“As far as the future goes, I can’t tell you. I know the costs go up every year like most businesses so they may go up,” Semple said.
As of Oct. 1, fans and spectators attending all indoor events on the Regina Exhibition Association Limited campus, including Pats games, will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to attend.
Paddock says the team is 100 per cent vaccinated, which is a WHL mandate, but members aren’t required to get tested for COVID-19 under current protocols.
“There’s a responsibility for the players to mention if they’re feeling something, so then we deal with it accordingly,” Paddock said.
The Regina Pats have made arrangements on their own to have players receive schooling at the rink to minimize the risk of transmission due to being in schools.
“I’m not too worried about it,” said Pats player Jakob Brook. “I think the league’s got a good protocol set in place.”
The Pats are 2-2 so far in the pre-season. They head to Moose Jaw Friday for a home and home this weekend, then open the regular season on Oct. 1 in Prince Albert.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend woman's life
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.