By Drew Wilson

“Raider” brand expanding in Prince Albert

Jun 28, 2011 | 6:17 AM

The Raiders and Prince Albert Minor Hockey Association have signed a five-year contract that will see the three travelling teams in minor hockey wear Raider colours.

Beginning in the fall of 2011 the PeeWee NAPA, Bantam Venice House and Midget Lightway Electric Tier 1 squads will be outfitted with Raider jerseys and socks.

It's been a four-year project for the organization, said Raider Coach and G.M. Bruno Campese.

“I couldn't be happier. It’s an initiative we brought forward four years ago. It's taken some time, but I'm so pleased that it's happened. It certainly identifies all of the different age groups in minor hockey with the Raiders. It's something that's extremely important.”

Campese's sentiment is echoed by the new President of Prince Albert Minor Hockey, Rod Dallman, who called it a natural fit.

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“To have our Western Hockey League team associated with Prince Albert Minor Hockey, there is a very nice mix to have our travelling teams to be able to have exposure in Prince Albert and the surrounding communities. It just shows the commitment of the Prince Albert Raiders.”

It hoped this is another sign of acceptance and an indication the community getting re-energized about the franchise, said Campese.

“We've made some real strong headway. The business community has been extremely supportive of the Raiders, for many, many, many years they have been the stronghold of the team. It's a community owned team, the business community has supported it strongly. With the change of some leadership at the minor hockey level we were certainly able to fast track this and make it happen.”

Campese also credits the cooperation and support from the sponsors, NAPA, Venice House and Lightway Electric for the move. It's the reason they were able to sign a five-year agreement, said Dallman.

“We really want to make sure our major sponsors, NAPA, Venice House and Lightway Electric are recognized because they have been a part of minor hockey for a lot of years and we want to make sure it's not just an agreement with Prince Albert Minor Hockey and the Prince Albert Raiders. It's a three way agreement with all of these associations.”

Campese is thrilled with the idea of more players wearing Raider colours in the city and on the road in the Centre 4 Hockey League.

“It gets our kids thinking about being a Raider. it gets our brand and our logo out into a multitude of communities which is extremely important for the Prince Albert Raiders.”

It’s also a timely move, said Dallman.

“The game has changed an awful lot in the last little while and we are trying to move forward as a Prince Albert Minor Hockey Association and make changes for the kids,” he said.

“There is a very strong commitment in Prince Albert right now to support the Prince Albert Raiders and it's nice to see the Prince Albert Raiders wanting to give back to Prince Albert minor hockey.”

Campese also feels it's a natural extension to the amount of work the players do in the community each season in addition to their priority to support local causes and community events during the hockey season.

dwilson@rawlco.com